PTO World #4 Sam Laidlow has been added to the start list for the first edition of Challenge London, with the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship runner-up looking to kickstart his season after some tough days out.

Having faded after sharing the lead with Magnus Ditlev off the bike at Challenge Roth, not finishing at IRONMAN Lanzarote and withdrawing from the PTO Tour European Open, Laidlow will hope for some more luck in Central London.

Despite taking a first middle-distance win at Challenge Gran Canaria at the start of the season, Laidlow hasn’t been able to build on his stellar 2022 campaign, but will be the top-ranked athlete in a 20 strong pro men’s field in the British capital.

Laidlow ready for redemption

Sharing the reason behind his snap decision to race in London, on a course which takes in the Big Ben, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, Laidlow revealed he couldn’t resist a ‘home race’ (he was born in the UK).

“It’s a bit of a last-minute decision for me but I couldn’t resist going back to my home country to race in one of the best venues in the world.

“I raced the Olympic distance here as a junior and got my ass kicked, so now it’s time to come back and claim that win.”

The Frenchman will take on athletes such as home favourite James Teagle, South African Matt Trautmann and one of the highest ranked athletes on the Challenge Family World Bonus rankings, Aussie Caleb Noble.