Search
shop

Matt Hanson’s Chile warm-up before heat is turned up

American star returns to the fray this weekend and is looking forward to pitting himself against the very best again this season
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Matt Hanson starts his season off again at Challenge Puerto Varas this Sunday and then it’s Championship races all the way.

The American was second to Sam Long in the inaugural edition of the Chile race 12 months ago and is looking forward to returning.

Speaking on his YouTube channel recently, embedded below, he said: “I am excited to head back to Chile to start the year. It’s always a tough time of the year, especially when I’ve been doing so much training indoors.

“But it’s a beautiful race and I really enjoyed my experience there last year.”

Advertisement

Texas the first big target

He’ll be up against the likes of Tom Bishop, a fine second at CLASH Miami last Friday, and the event will be a stepping stone to a carefully picked schedule of races, no doubt partially influenced by bigger PTO world ranking points for the higher tier events.

Hanson is currently #17 in the standings and he added: “I do like to race at least one time before heading into the high-priority race of the first build and the first one of those will be IRONMAN Texas, definitely a race with a lot of great memories.

“It’s a Championship race [the Americas] and you’ll hear that theme throughout my whole schedule this year.

“Then I will plan to head to the North American 70.3 Championship at St George which will be my one and only shot to get a slot at the 70.3 Worlds. I’ve raced pretty well there the last couple of times, I guess training in Colorado now I’ve been able to manage the hills a bit better.

European adventure

“Then I’m throwing in a bit of a curveball as I’m planning to race Challenge’s THE CHAMPIONSHIP in Slovakia. I think that really is a course that does suit me well – it’s flat and really exposed to the wind and I’ve obviously raced there at the Collins Cup.

“Then the plan is to stay in Europe for a few weeks and maybe spend a little bit of time on the IMWC course in France and possibly head to the UK to see Matt Bottrill and Drag2Zero.

“And then I’ll end my stay in Europe with the European IRONMAN Championships in Hamburg. So it’s a big first half of the season and after ‘PV’ they are all Championship races. Those are the types of races that really motivate me, I like stacking up against really solid dudes in the field and seeing how the cards shake out.”

One of the ‘solid dudes’ also scheduled to line up in Hamburg is none other than modern-day GOAT Jan Frodeno in what is his “last year of full professional racing“.

Hanson will then take a bit of a break before the rest of the campaign which at present is planned to take in the PTO US Open in Milwaukee, then back to Europe for the 70.3 Worlds in Finland and of course the first-ever IMWC in Nice.

ST GEORGE, UTAH - MAY 07: Matthew Hanson / Matt Hanson of the United States competes in the bike portion during the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship on May 07, 2022 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Matt Hanson will return to St George [Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN]
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
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
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!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
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...