Despite winning his first race of the year at IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon last weekend, Canadian Lionel Sanders was adamant that there is still plenty more work to do as he looks to turn himself back into a middle-distance powerhouse.
The two-time IRONMAN World Championship runner-up, who is back to coaching himself after a season under the tutelage of Norwegian Mikal Iden, makes regular headlines with his brilliant YouTube content. Wins on course have been much scarcer though – with Sunday’s success his first in 13 long months.
Back in charge of his own destiny, the fan favourite revealed on The Daily Tri YouTube channel (watch the full interview below) that his win in Oregon was only the first step of a very long journey to where he wants to be.
Confidence booster for Sanders
Having finished on the podium a couple of times so far this year but failed to take the tape, Sanders continued his domestic campaign with his first win in 2023 in the Pacific North West.
In typical fashion, he acknowledged that he had put together a good race, but emphasised that there was still a mountain to climb before the big races rolled around.
“It was a fun day, it was a step in the right direction, but there’s a ton of work to be done. I’ve got a season’s worth of work to be done – 12, 15 months of work to be done.
“This gives me confidence that I’m moving in the right direction, but no satisfaction whatsoever. It’s nice to be back and to battle, feeling like my old self, but I’m hungrier than ever and ready to get back to work.”
‘No Limits’ hit all his goals in Oregon win
Breaking down the race in a little more detail, Sanders said that he had met all the targets he had set himself before the race, with strong performances in all three disciplines.
“The swim was as you would expect with a 12.5mph current, not very difficult, very little separation as wherever you are you are and it’s difficult to get away or to bridge gaps.
“The bike, I set some goals for myself, I wanted to do 400w for 15 minutes, 380w for 15 minutes and 360w for 70 minutes and I achieved all my goals.
“I tested some different wheel and tyre air pressure combinations and got a good data point there. Still not satisfied with that, definitely areas to improve on.
“Then on the run I set myself a goal to run 5:20/mi for the first 9 miles and I hit it, I hit all my goals.”
Next, Sanders is set to take on some of the best in the sport at the PTO Tour US Open in Milwaukee, where he will get a much truer barometer of where he is at.
