Search
shop

‘I think Lionel Sanders can win’ – Macca says no limits in St George

Can 'No Limits' finally land the big one?
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Lionel Sanders has yet to win a big one – a really big one – but that could all change on Saturday when he lines up for the delayed 2021 IRONMAN World Championship in St George.

The 34-year-old Canadian was second at Kona in 2017, but has yet to stand on top of the podium at triathlon’s biggest event.

In theory ‘No Limits’ may well never have a better chance than this Saturday in Utah. The build-up has been as much about who won’t be there as who will.

Modern-day GOAT Jan Frodeno is out with a partial tear of his Achilles while COVID put paid to the hopes of Joe Skipper and Javier Gomez.

Then, late last week, we heard that Norwegian prodigies Gustav Iden and Olympic Champion Kristian Blummenfelt had both suffered interrupted preparations due to colds.

Sanders meanwhile appears to be in a good place right now – he has a new coach in Mikal Iden (brother of Gustav) and put in an impressive seasonal debut when a fast-finishing second at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside.

Advertisement

Can Lionel Sanders win St George?

Two-time Kona king Chris McCormack is now very much a Sanders believer, and talked up the Canadian’s hopes when talking to Mark Allen on ‘The Road To St George’.

“I think Lionel Sanders can win. I think Lionel Sanders can run over the top of Gustav Iden,” said the Australian great.

McCormack believes that display in Oceanside bodes really well for Lionel as he prepares to step back up in distance to 140.6 miles on Saturday.

“I thought the California performance – as we know a half is not a full – and he was coming stronger and stronger and stronger as the day goes by. Others were fading outside of Jackson Laundry, others were going backwards but he was moving forward with a 68-minute half marathon.”

McCormack has been vocal in the past about what he believes was stopping Sanders taking the final step to the true elite of long-distance triathlon. Now he says, things might be different.

Lionel in a good place now

“A new coach, I’ve said it before – Lionel Sanders’ problem in the past has been Lionel Sanders. He’s been able to get that out of the way, and focus and I think he’s in a really good spot.”

The St George course on Saturday will provide one more brutal opponent for the athletes taking part – but Macca says ‘No Limits’ may well embrace it.

“I think this course will suit him, he’ll like the open roads, he’ll be strong. I think he’s going to be very very strong.”

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
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
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
Jeanne Lehair Supertri Chicago 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Chicago 2025 as Lehair and Gonzalez Garcia take the wins
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
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...