Lionel Sanders still believes he “can be the best in the world” but has he also dropped a big retirement hint?
‘No Limits’ has twice been runner-up in the IRONMAN World Championship – to Patrick Lange in Kona in 2017 and then behind Kristian Blummenfelt in St George in 2022.
Last season saw him start the campaign brilliantly with back-to-back 70.3 wins at Oceanside and St George before injury ruled him out until 70.3 La Quinta / Indian Wells at the back-end of the campaign when he was second to good friend Sam Long.
That was in December and since then Sanders and wife Erin have welcomed their second child.
‘One Last Time’
The Canadian star is one of the most popular characters in triathlon so the title of his first YouTube video of 2026, embedded below, will have his legions of fans a little worried – ‘Wrangling Up the Troops One Last Time’.
However he’s also renowned for the odd U-turn so we won’t read too much into that just yet and instead focus on what sounds like it could be an exciting start to his season.
He’s one of may pro athletes who has welcomed a U-turn of sorts from IRONMAN as their long-time 12-metre draft zone has finally been extended to 20 metres and comes into line with the likes of T100 and Challenge Family.
“We’ve got 20m draft zone now, you’re going to have to ride your bike,” says Sanders. “It’s going to be a great season and I still think I can be the best in the world.
“I mean that sounds ludicrous but I’m moving well, I’m in a lot better form than La Quinta so what more can you ask for at this point?”
Dallas to kick things off
And he’s set out his early-season schedule, which begins pretty soon in mid-March with IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm.
Then comes a return to 70.3 Oceanside where he has an incredible record. He’s raced there seven times, has always been on the podium and has four wins, including the last two years.
That’s on March 28th and then three weeks later comes IRONMAN Texas and a first chance to book his Kona spot.
