Search
shop

IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside: Jan Frodeno dominates

Olympic Champion. IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion. Two-time IRONMAN World Champion. Jan Frodeno was back to his best at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Photo credit above: Talbot Cox / Bahrain Endurance 13
Follow Talbot on his YouTube Channel HERE for great video content
Check out his video recap of the race HERE

Advertisement

Jan Frodeno is the California King with an Oceanside demonstration

Lionel Sanders a distant second as Frodeno opens 2018 in impressive style

The last time I saw Germany’s Jan Frodeno in racing action, he was struggling up Palani Hill, 10 miles into the run in Kona at the 2017 IRONMAN World Championships – and Lucy Charles was not too far behind and would overtake him a few minutes later. Anyone who thought his Hawaiian outing then was the beginning of the end, take note, that performance was just blip. Is he ‘back’? He never went away…

Saturday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, California proved that.

Last years much anticipated head-to-head between Frodeno and Lionel Sanders had been much anticipated, but when Jan punctured, the excitement evaporated as quickly as the air from his tyres. Sanders went on to win – but didn’t get the ‘race’ that he wanted. He got his wish this year. He raced great, he thrashed all but one… but Frodeno was simply on another level again.

Fastest swim. Fastest Bike. Fastest Run. Course Record. Beats Lionel Sanders by almost four minutes. Impressive enough for you?!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhSE7xAnriP/?taken-by=janfrodeno

For added context, it was an incredibly impressive performance from Lionel too. An opening 24:35 swim compared well to Frodeno’s 22:30. Remember, at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in 2015 (Mont Tremblant), Sanders was dead last of the Pro’s out of the water (eventually finishing fourth). His deficit then? 4:32. Sanders needed to improve his swim – he has been, and it continues to get better.

A great bike too from both – Frodeno clocked 2:08:27 to the 2:08:48 of the powerhouse of Sanders. “I pushed some of the best power I ever have in my life”, said Sanders, post-race.

And the run – a 1:11:46 off the back of that swim-bike effort is very impressive. Frodeno went even better with a 1:10:31 half marathon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhSgdCpHl6A/?hl=en&taken-by=lsanderstri

Alistair Brownlee totally dominated IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai in February. Javier Gomez beat off a classy field at Challenge Wanaka. Lionel Sanders crushed everyone at IRONMAN Pucon, Chile and now Frodeno has thrown his hat into the ring too. It’s going to be a great year.

IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside – Saturday 7th April 2018
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km – PRO MEN

1st – Jan Frodeno (GER) – 3:45:05
2nd – Lionel Sanders (CAN) – 3:48:58
3rd – Tim Reed (AUS) – 3:53:08
4th – Eric Lagerstrom (USA) – 3:54:11
5th – Rodolphe Von Berg (USA) – 3:56:48
6th – Jesse Thomas (USA) – 3:58:00
7th – Alex Libin (USA) – 4:00:39
8th – Kennett Peterson (USA) – 4:01:52
9th – Scott Defilippis (USA) – 4:03:34
10th – Nicholas Granet (FRA) – 4:04:07

CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORT FROM THE WOMEN’S RACE

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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
Ashleigh Gentle top step of podium after T100 French Riviera 2025
Aussie star Ashleigh Gentle never lost faith she could return to top of T100 podium
Steven McKenna at pre-race press conference 703 Worlds 2023 [Photo credit: Ville Kashkivirta / IRONMAN]
Aussie triathlon star resists sprint finish with Olympic champ Sifan Hassan as he aces Sydney Marathon
Cassandre Beaugrand wins WTCS French Riviera 2025
WTCS French Riviera 2025 women’s results: Home win for Olympic champion Beaugrand
Matt Hauser wins WTCS French Riviera 2025
WTCS French Riviera 2025 men’s results: Statement win from Hauser as he repels Yee and Wilde
Cassandre Beaugrand finish line WTCS French Riviera 2025
WATCH AGAIN: WTCS French Riviera 2025 as Beaugrand and Hauser star
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...