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

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 When contacted on Friday, an IRONMAN spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Lionel has withdrawn from the upcoming Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas.”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.

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