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IRONMAN Texas start list: Lionel Sanders is OUT of the big showdown with Blummenfelt, Iden and Lange

There will be no 'No Limits' at The Woodlands on April 26.
News Director
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IRONMAN Texas will still have a stellar start list for its 2025 edition, but there will be no Lionel Sanders.

The hugely popular 37-year-old Canadian produced a quite brilliant display last weekend to storm through the deepest field in recent memory at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside. It was his fourth victory at the iconic California race.

After that win Sanders was scheduled to again meet up with Kristian Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden, Patrick Lange et al at The Woodlands on April 26. He spoke about the eagerly-anticipated rematch in his post-race debrief after Oceanside.

When IRONMAN released the pro start lists for Texas late on Thursday though, there was no sign of Sanders. When contacted on Friday, an IRONMAN spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Lionel has withdrawn from the upcoming Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas.”

As yet we do not have the reason for Sanders deciding not to take up this engagement, but there will still be a terrific field lining up in the Lone Star State in a little over a fortnight.

Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders celebrates an epic victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 (Photo – Getty Images for IRONMAN).

Who is racing at IRONMAN Texas?

It is of course headed by Norwegian superstars Blummenfelt and Iden, along with reigning and three-time IRONMAN World Champion Lange. Blummenfelt’s Oceanside bid was ruined by a flat tyre on the bike, while Iden proved he is on the way back to top form by coming home third. Lange meanwhile was never a factor.

The home contingent will be headed by Rudy Von Berg, who claimed an excellent second place behind Sanders at Oceanside. Matthew Marquardt – fourth in the Pro Series standings in 2024 – will also toe the line.

France’s Leon Chevalier, fourth in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last October, will make his first trip to Texas while Denmark’s Denmark’s Kristian Høgenhaug – third in the Pro Series standings last year – returns to The Woodlands for the first time since 2018.

Other big names on the start list include Daniel Bækkegård (DNK), Robert Kallin (SWE), Matt Hanson (USA), Ben Kanute (USA), Trevor Foley (USA), Cam Wurf (AUS) and Matt Burton (AUS).

IRONMAN Texas 2025 Start List – Pro Men

Bib NumberNameCountry
M1Patrick LangeDEU
M2Rudy Von BergUSA
M3Gustav IdenNOR
M4Kristian BlummenfeltNOR
M5Leon ChevalierFRA
M6Matthew MarquardtUSA
M7Kristian HogenhaugDNK
M8Trevor FoleyUSA
M9Matt HansonUSA
M10Robert KallinSWE
M11Chris LeifermanUSA
M12Antonio BenitoESP
M13Ben KanuteUSA
M14Daniel BaekkegardDNK
M15Cameron WurfAUS
M16Matt BurtonAUS
M17Robert WilkowieckiPOL
M18Paul SchusterDEU
M19Casper StornesNOR
M20Andrea SalvisbergCHE
M21Kieran LindarsGBR
M22Kacper StepniakPOL
M23Wilhelm HirschDEU
M24Ben HamiltonNZL
M25Nick ThompsonAUS
M26Jarrod OsborneAUS
M27Thomas DavisGBR
M28Finn Große-freeseDEU
M29Dominik SowiejaDEU
M30Marc EggelingDEU
M31Jason PohlCAN
M32Pamphiel PareynBEL
M33Adam FeighUSA
M34Connor WeaverUSA
M36Andrew Horsfall-TurnerGBR
M37David PleseSVN
M38Tristan OlijNLD
M39Michael ArishitaUSA
M40Patrick BradyUSA
M41Luke MathewsARE
M42William MennessonFRA
M43Flavio MorandiniARG
M44Garrick LoewenCAN
M45Matt KerrNZL
M46Branden ScheelUSA
M47Nick CosmanCAN
M48Mikael Staer NathanCAN
M49Levente LukacsHUN
M50Daniel BluffGBR
M51Simon ShiUSA
M52Joshua MondaUSA
M53Taylor Days-MerrillUSA
M54Tomasz BremborPOL
M55Fraser WalshAUS
M56Joaquin PeredaMEX
M57Robert SwanUSA
M58Elliot BachUSA
M59Marcel BischofDEU
M60Trevor DelsautFRA
M61Chris BeckmansAUS
M62Thomas GordonUSA
M63Nik ReinertUSA
M64Matt JacksonUSA
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
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