Lionel Sanders looks set to lock horns with Gustav Iden at IRONMAN Florida and says he has “unfinished business” at Panama City Beach.
The Canadian star, like Iden, had been scheduled for a huge showdown with Jan Frodeno in IRONMAN California last weekend. That was before a ‘bomb cylone’ hit Sacramento on race day, causing the event to be cancelled.
Iden has already confirmed that he will now make his full-distance bow in Florida, and it appears Sanders will be among the opposition after a men’s PRO race was added to the schedule.
IM Florida memories for Lionel
Speaking to his fans on his new and thriving Discord channel, Sanders said he has a couple of very special reasons for heading to the Sunshine State on November 6.
Firstly Panama City Beach played host to the Sanders family when he made his PRO IM debut some seven years ago. He said: “IM Florida 2014 was my pro IM debut and my moms first IM. Swim got cancelled, so it was an Iron Bike-Run. We have unfinished business..”
The Florida memories do not stop there for Lionel either – he added: “Erin and I got engaged there before the race too! A lot of history in PCB for us!”
South Arica or Cozumel options?
Sanders was also asked whether he had considered heading to Port Elizabeth to take on the likes of Sebastian Kienle at IRONMAN South Africa on November 21, or Mexico on the same day to face Kristian Blummenfelt in Cozumel.
He ruled those races out though, explaining: “Training wise, that (South Africa) or Cozumel would make more sense, but I can’t leave the country as I am waiting on a Visa to come in. One of these days would love to get down there!”
While Iden and Sanders are apparently set for Florida, Frodeno meanwhile says he is “trying to figure out” his next move. Whatever comes afterwards, he is definitely heading back to Europe this week for his own SGRAIL100 race at his Girona base in Spain this weekend.
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