Search
shop

Lucy Charles-Barclay makes dramatic Kraichgau U-turn amid visa difficulties

Lucy Charles-Barclay WILL race on Sunday after all...
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

British long-distance star and PTO World #2 Lucy Charles-Barclay WILL race at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau on Sunday after all that furore about the Brexit rules around overseas travel.

LCB looks to be making the most of her final days available in the Schengen zone after sharing social media stories from transition on Saturday.

The 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, who until Saturday was seemingly going to have to miss the race amid visa difficulties, having used up almost all of her 90 allocated days in Europe in the first half of 2023, has confirmed she will after all now be racing in Germany.

With IRONMAN South Africa winner and defending champion Laura Philipp also in the field, it is set to be an enthralling battle two of the best women in the sport.

“Life is too short to wait around”

In an Instagram post less than 12 hours out from the start in Kraichgau, Charles-Barclay shared that she had decided at the last minute to travel out to Germany, and is excited to take on the rest of the field.

“Because life is too short to wait around for bureaucratic red tape. I had two days left in Europe, and I’m taking them! ‘A throw of the dice will never abolish chance!”.

Lucy Charles-Barclay racing at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau
Lucy Charles-Barclay WILL race at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau on Sunday

LCB loving Kraichgau course

Charles-Barclay, who has only raced once so far this season, where she finished third at the PTO Tour European Open, looks to be in fine form after a great block of training at altitude, adding that a quick course recce on Saturday has got her even more excited to race in Germany.

“Thank you Cube Bikes and Ironman Europe for making this possible. I’ve had a few hours to check out the course, and I’m now even more excited about the race tomorrow.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
lionel sanders wins oceanside 2024 [Photo credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN]
Lionel Sanders pinpoints the BIGGEST difference from Mark Allen era of triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Triathlon superstar Sam Laidlow went from near DNS at Challenge Roth to epic glory
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
Supertri Toronto 2025: How to watch live as Alex Yee makes his triathlon return
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
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.

£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

£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...