Search
shop

Sam Laidlow ready to deliver on increased expectations in 2023

After a superb 2022, Sam Laidlow is ready to kick on again this season and live up to the lofty expectations that now surround him
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Sam Laidlow has outlined his plans for the 2023 season and admitted his challenge now is living up to the lofty expectations following his stunning second place in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last October.

Laidlow shattered the bike course record and led deep into the run in Hawaii before he was overhauled by Gustav Iden.

The Frenchman’s schedule takes in many of the biggest races, including the PTO European and US Opens, Challenge Roth and of course the first-ever IMWC on ‘home’ roads in Nice.

Advertisement

Upward momentum

Speaking in his latest YouTube video, embedded below, and looking back to that breakout display in Kona the 24-year-old said: “I think Kona has definitely changed my life, I didn’t realise how big Kona was and the effect it would have on me, just the impact in general.

“I guess I was a bit naive about what being a pro really was. I thought it was just swimming, biking and running. Turns out there’s a lot more to it and now I have ‘Sam Laidlow’ to represent. There’s been a lot to learn but it’s all been great – I really think it’s developed my skillset.

“I feel like I’ve benefitted a lot from Kona – I feel like I can really be the best, though I don’t feel like I am the best yet.”

And he qualified those remarks by adding: “I’m fully aware that up until now I haven’t really dealt with big expectations well – the perfect scenario being the Collins Cup where I kind of built pressure up on myself and didn’t deliver.

“So for me, that’s the challenge now. To go to races and perform well because people are expecting it.”

Lanzarote and Roth two key races

And in terms of which races we’ll see him at, Laidlow revealed he’ll be using the shorter PTO races as tune-ups for full-distance targets: “My first race will probably be the PTO European Open [Ibiza on 6th May], then IRONMAN Lanzarote – I want to have a good performance there.

“And then Challenge Roth where the requirements are very different to Nice and Lanzarote. I need to push big power on the TT bars, but the field is stacked and that’s where you’ll really know if you’re going to be good at Kona next year. I guess that’s where the standard will be.

“After that I’ll have a bit of a break and probably go to Nice and check out the course more.

“Then the PTO US Open, again more as a training race. I feel like I benefit quite well from placing a PTO-distance or 70.3 five to six weeks out from an Ironman. I won’t go to the PTO Asian Open in Singapore and will instead just be focussing on Nice.

sam-laidlow-kona-2022-run-finish
Laidlow was runner-up in Kona last year (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

“Then another break and my family organises the Bearman so for one week we’ll be full gas on that, then I’ll look at Challenge Malta and / or Challenge Mallorca and then end the year at the Collins Cup in Morocco.”

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
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...