Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders reveals why he is a ‘no go’ for IRONMAN Texas

We noticed earlier this week that Lionel Sanders wasn’t on the IRONMAN Texas start list any more – and now the Canadian superstar has explained why.

The 37-year-old again underlined his enduring talents a week ago when he powered through the deepest field in recent memory at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside for a fourth victory in the iconic California race.

Afterwards he’d said it was all systems go for the next race in the IRONMAN Pro Series – IRONMAN Texas at Woodlands on April 26.

‘I needed every session’

But writing on Instagram a week on from his California heroics, Sanders said: “Unfortunately, Texas wasn’t in the cards for me.

“The night after Oceanside I started getting sick and I’ve had a bad cough ever since. I needed every session between these races.

“My body was kind to me so I need to be kind to it and so I’m giving it the time it needs to recover fully and I’m excited to get back on the line in St. George.

“Good luck to all racing in Texas!”

Last dance in St George

70.3 St George takes place on May 10 and will be a very special occasion this year as it will be the final edition of the race.

It’s again the 70.3 North American Championships – for an 11th time – and the venue has also hosted three full IRONMAN races (2010-2012) and three IRONMAN World Championships in the space of 13 months – the 2021 70.3 World Championship, 2021 IRONMAN World Championship, and 2022 70.3 World Championship.

It’s a race close to Sanders’ heart too. He was runner-up in that rescheduled IRONMAN World Championship and is a three-time winner of the 70.3 (2021, 2018 and 2016).

Could he make it four wins, just as he did at Oceanside? We’ll find out in four weeks.