Triathlon superstar Sam Laidlow went from near DNS at Challenge Roth to epic glory

Newly-crowned Challenge Roth champion Sam Laidlow has spoken of his desire to create a lasting legacy which he hopes could make an impact on the sport of triathlon for years to come.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, fresh from securing his stunning comeback victory at the ‘Home of Triathlon’ earlier this month, says it would be a dream come true to be able to inspire future generations – enabling them to experience the incredible high of his momentous victory.

With emotions clearly still running high after his epic showing in Bavaria, the 2023 IRONMAN World Champion admits he was so blown away by the Roth experience that he has already promised to return in a bid to win it ‘over and over again’.

A newly-released YouTube video – you can watch the full version at the bottom of this article – not only charts his hugely troubled build-up to the big race, but also gives a behind-the-scenes peek into what it meant for him to be first across the line after almost a year of struggle.

Despite eventually producing a magical performance in what was his first race since imploding at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last October, the video highlights just how challenging his preparations were, and how, at one point, he even messaged his father to say that he was pulling out altogether.

Overcoming obstacles

Illness, food poisoning and injury had left him in a position where he himself accepted he had ‘done the bare minimum’, was ‘lacking peak fitness’ and had been forced to embark on some last-minute ‘panic training’.

“I’ve missed this whole first half of the season, and I really hit such a low place that it’s really changed my my vision because now not only do I just appreciate being healthy, but I also appreciate how cool this job is that we get to do and I’m fully soaking in these experiences because I don’t know how many I’m gonna get,” he said.

“I was gonna drop out of this race. I’d literally sent a message to my dad and my manager, and everyone saying that I wasn’t gonna do it, and they convinced me to do it. Boy, were they right?

“I’m a big believer in looking at the bigger picture and looking way beyond your own lifetime. My grandfather coached my dad and my uncle, who were both very good triathletes, and they didn’t quite make it as professionals, but then they used that experience to pass on to me.

“It’s thanks to them that I get to live these moments, and who knows, maybe my kids will go on to be great triathletes or have an impact on the sport, and we can go down as the greatest family in Triathlon, which is definitely a goal of mine, I would say.”

Laidlow had to dig deep

And his love for Challenge Roth seems to know no bounds as he explains the depth of emotions running through him as he battled to make it through to the finish line.

“It was very, very hard for me. I had to dig very, very deep mentally. I really wanted it, but it was really, really horrible,” he said.

“I was even thinking during the race that if I make it to the finish line first, then I’m not even going to be able to celebrate. But when you come into the stadium and see all the crowds and hear the cheers, it definitely makes you forget the pain. And I was just about able to celebrate.

“It’s been the most amazing week in my life. Obviously, winning the World Championships was a big, big deal, but for me, the experience in this victory was more than just about pure performance. I’m honestly in awe of this event.

“Roth is truly unique. It leaves you speechless. It’s more than just a triathlon; it’s more than just a festival. It’s just something you’ve got to experience once in your life. And I’ve been lucky enough to win it this year, and I’ll be back and I want to win it over and over again, baby.”