Search
shop

Frodeno on a different level – Lionel Sanders reflects on Tri Battle

Lionel Sanders reflected on the Zwift Tri Battle, and the knowledge that Jan Frodeno remains on a different level to him.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Lionel Sanders produced a personal best iron-distance time in the much-publicised Zwift Tri Battle Royale in Germany earlier this month, but he came away knowing there is still one man on an entirely different level.

The 33-year-old Canadian has made a point of seeking out Jan Frodeno in recent months, yearning for head-to-head combat with the the man currently acclaimed as the best long-distance racer on the planet.

Sanders got to see just how good the German is in their showdown in Allgäu on July 18 – his personal best of 7:43:28 was some 15 minutes slower than Frodeno, who set a new world record of 7:27:53.

While Lionel’s achievement of his best ever time just three weeks out from the traumas of IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene should not be underestimated, his takeaway was instead all about the improvement which is still required.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “It was a great experience, the whole week was great. I got to see Jan up close and personal. I got to see how he operates and thinks.

Advertisement

Lionel Sanders on Frodeno

“The big take-home certainly is that there are still levels to go. He is at a different level, obviously on a racecourse, you see that level but you don’t really see I think the level behind the scenes.

“He’s an exceptionally hard worker and he’s exceptionally talented but he also has an amazing process, an amazing team around him. I got to observe that first-hand and see that my team is doing great, I think I’m doing a good job but I think there is certainly more that we could be doing.

“We could be devoting ourselves more, we could be more professional, more serious about this. It takes seeing the different levels out there to be serious about that. If you just shy away from the best guys in the world then you never really kind of see what they’re doing and how they’re going about doing it and the level of commitment that they have.”

How the Tri Battle came about

While talk of a Frodeno vs Sanders head-to-head had only surfaced in the last month or two, Lionel revealed that Jan’s world-record bid had been in the works for a long time – it almost happened in 2020.

“The reality is this was in the works for over a year. Jan was going to do this world record attempt last year but then crashed, broke a rib or something and was unable to do it. So then it was replanned for this summer, and after Miami – even though I didn’t really actually push him any – he enjoyed the mental push of the possibility of being caught and pressured.

“So I think after that race he thought I would be a good person to have around to push him to another level and keep him honest on the day because an ironman is a long way to go, solo.

“That’s kind of how the head-to-head battle came about, but the reality was it was always Jan going to break the world record that he already possessed.

“I think from a sponsorship standpont it was probably more interesting to have a head-to-head component because Jan already possessed the world record.”

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Chrissie Wellington 2023 photo credit: Challenge Roth
IRONMAN legend Chrissie Wellington shortlisted in BBC vote for ‘UK Sportswoman of the 21st Century’
Alex Yee Cassandre Beaugrand gold medals supertri Boston photo credit supertri
WTCS French Riviera 2025: Date, start times and how to watch Yee and Beaugrand in races of the season so far
Georgia Taylor Brown T100 London 2025 bike
Olympic superstar GTB looking to learn from London at T100 French Riviera
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 French Riviera 2025: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...