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 -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

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.

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
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
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
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown Santa Vall gravel race 2025 photo credit Santa Vall and Gravel Earth Series
Kate Waugh and Georgia Taylor-Brown among strong British line-up at T100 London
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
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...