Search
shop

Lionel Sanders signs for shock Arena Games bid in Montreal

'No Limits' brings added box office clout to Super League Triathlon's Arena Games in front of home fans in Montreal on February 25th.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Canadian long-course legend Lionel Sanders will test himself at the other end of the distance spectrum when he makes a sensational debut in the Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift in Montreal later this month.

‘No Limits’ is one of the sport’s biggest box office stars – he was runner-up in the rescheduled IRONMAN World Championship in St George last May and is a four-time IRONMAN champion and 30-time 70.3 winner.

But he’ll now dramatically drop in distance to tackle Super League Triathlon’s unique hybrid format that blends real life and virtual racing.

The 34-year-old will be performing in front of a home Canadian crowd at the Parc Olympique as the Arena Games Triathlon World Championship Series kicks-off in style on Saturday, February 25.

Advertisement

Centre of attention

Sanders said: “I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to do something new, something fun, something really good for the sport and professional triathlon and really good for you because high end I think is extremely important.

Collins Cup 2022 Lionel Sanders photo credit Darren Wheeler and PTO
All eyes will be on Canada’s Lionel Sanders [Photo credit: Darren Wheeler / PTO]

“My favourite sport to spectate is MMA. I don’t want to get in the ring and scrap, but I would love to experience walking out as if you are going to scrap, and this will probably be the closest I will ever get to that, being the centre of attention in a true spectator sport, so that will be fun to experience.”

Fellow IRONMAN athlete – and pro biker – Cameron Wurf raced in Super League Malibu last season, admitting afterwards: “I got my teeth kicked in, but that’s alright.”

Laundry and Metzler also involved

Other long-course athletes also preparing to put their necks on the line in Montreal are fellow Canadian and four-time 70.3 winner Jackson Laundry and South African Jeanni Metzler, who has multiple 70.3 wins, a second place at the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships and full-distance podiums to her name.

Montreal will be the first venue for the 2023 Arena Games Triathlon World Championship Series and tickets are now on sale.

The Arena Games is a trailblazing concept pioneered by Super League Triathlon. The real-life and virtual reality blended racing provides an immersive viewing experience for fans both watching at the venue and on broadcast.

Competitors swim in an Olympic pool, bike on static trainers and run on self-powered treadmills, with their efforts turned into racing gameplay by Zwift – all over a unique, short and action-packed format.

And for the first time last year the athletes battled it out to be crowned the triathlon esports World Champion thanks to Super League’s partnership with World Triathlon.

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.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...