Search
shop

Lionel Sanders: I just want to have fun at St George, Kona the ultimate goal

We talk St George and Kona with 'No Limits' and learn why his Oceanside display was even better than it first appeared
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Looking ahead to the IRONMAN World Championship in St George next weekend, Lionel Sanders said via his YouTube channel that he has around 20 rivals on his radar. On paper, most would argue there are far fewer and that he is one of the most exciting athletes on the start line. 

But speaking exclusively to us at Tri247, the hugely popular Canadian again downplayed his ambitions for next weekend’s Championship.

“I just want to have fun,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to be in peak form in October.”

Advertisement

Oceanside a learning process

The evidence in California at 70.3 Oceanside last month gave a clear indication of current form, especially when he passed Alistair Brownlee and then took part in a thrilling sprint finish with Rudy Von Berg to finish second overall behind Jackson Laundry. 

Lionel Sanders and Rudy Von Berg sprint at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022 Photo Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022: Lionel Sanders and Rudy Von Berg sprint Photo Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN

That result was even more impressive when you hear that some things didn’t go quite to plan. He lost his frame bottle early into the bike and the on-course bottles didn’t quite fit his front mounted system, so chose to back off the pace a little. 

The lost bottle contained maple syrup and salt – there may not be a greater nod to being Canadian than sipping maple syrup whilst chasing some of the best triathletes in the world!

Despite that, he said he ‘ticked a box’ when it came to testing his nutrition strategy and he was happy with what he learned. He also indicated that his bike choice, an older version of the Canyon Speedmax without disc brakes and built-in hydration, will be what he rides in Utah.

“Oceanside told me that my form is coming along quite well.

“I learned quite a lot on the bike too. I was testing a bike there that I intend to use at the World Championships and had to iron out a few kinks with regards to nutrition, and I ticked that box.”  

The start at Oceanside may not have gone to plan, but the finish was classic Sanders – exciting, no limits racing resulting in an incredible finish.

“I truly didn’t think I was going to catch anyone coming off the bike, so it was just a cherry on top for things to have played out the way they did.”

More to come

Norwegian hype aside, what’s been the reality of working with new coach Mikal Iden? Should we be expecting to see more from Sanders this year?

Lionel Sanders / Blue Seventy wetsuit
Photo Credit: Talbot Cox

“I was out on a bike ride in Slovakia ahead of the Collins Cup with Gustav [Iden] and Mikal, and Gustav suggested he thought it would be a good fit [for me to work with them]. I thought he was joking at first and joked around about it for a few days after that, but then we ended up sitting down and having a serious conversation about it and I haven’t looked back since.

“The biggest thing that I’ve implemented is regular lactate testing and learning the proper intensities to be training at for long distance. 

“It’s also nice having someone to keep me accountable and write the workouts for me.”

St. George may be just the start. Kona is the real deal.

Helen Gorman
Written by
Helen Gorman
Helen is part of the editorial team at TRI247 after spending ten years as a Press Officer with British Triathlon. She's mostly found at a pool, sometimes breaking world masters records.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Laura Philipp wins the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France
IRONMAN World Champ looking for SIXTH straight win on race return at 70.3 Kraichgau
Richard Varga farewell The Championship in Samorin 2025
Quadruple multi-sport world champion “smiled through the suffering” at his ‘last dance’
Kristian Blummenfelt wins 703 Aix en Provence 2025
Kristian Blummenfelt eyes IRONMAN World Championship 1-2-3 for Norwegians
Kat Matthews vs Laura Philipp
IRONMAN Hamburg pro women’s start list: Laura Philipp vs Kat Matthews in World Championship rematch
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
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

Share to...