IRONMAN World champion Sam Laidlow issues positive update as he targets ICONIC Challenge Roth

Sam Laidlow is not ready to return to action just yet after the health issues which have plagued him so far in 2025, but there are positive signs at least from the French superstar.

The 2023 IRONMAN World Champion has been suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition during the offseason, which may hamper his participation in the early part of the 2025 campaign.

However, that hasn’t stopped the 26-year-old from planning out his schedule for the upcoming year, with Laidlow hoping to be given the green light to race by his medical team sooner rather than later.

Laidlow targets Challenge Roth

Now Sam is targeting some big races in the countdown to his bid for another IMWC title in Nice in September – including the iconic Challenge Roth in Germany in July.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Laidlow will hopefully add further star power to what is shaping up to be an incredible line-up for the annual showpiece event.

Writing on his Instagram account, he explained: “Big goals start with small steps.

“After a rough start to the year, it’s been hard to look too far ahead – but having something to chase always helps. Challenge Roth is legendary, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I race best when I don’t necessarily expect it.

“I’ll do everything I can to be on that start line, fit and healthy.”

This would be a second appearance for Laidlow at one of the world’s most famous races – the French star finished eighth in 2023.

“Alongside the IRONMAN World Championship, Challenge Roth is the most important race of the season. A win in Roth would be a dream,” added Laidlow.

Race Director Felix Walchshöfer added: “Sam is one of the most exciting athletes in the triathlon world. We are delighted that he has chosen Roth again and are looking forward to the duels with the other top stars.”

Health issues for Sam in 2025

Laidlow spoke recently in depth about the health issues which have so far hampered his 2025 preparations. He says he was in the best shape of his life heading into that IRONMAN World Championship defence in October, and blames a fuelling mishap for his blow-up there.

“I haven’t spoke about it publicly, but I believe, and still believe, I was extremely fit heading into Hawaii but for whatever reason the body gave in. I had a severe electrolyte imbalance when I finished the race. We presume I took too much sodium on in one go after I missed the first aid station on the bike.

“So my stomach started swelling and swelling and swelling, and I’ve always had this weakness of the hydration part, something in my body is not quite as sturdy as other peoples – it explains why my body has shut down in some races.

“It’s not a sugar bonk like other athletes have, it’s that one of my organs just gives in – in Hawaii I pushed my kidneys too far because since then I’ve been suffering with an electrolyte imbalance in my body.”

Laidlow ‘knew something wasn’t right’

Following Hawaii, Laidlow had planned to complete his season at the T100 Grand Final in Dubai. However, a torn hamstring ended his campaign.

In December, the Professional Triathlon Organisation’s (PTO) world number nine returned to training for the 2025 season, and things started to derail.

“Through Christmas I had three pretty good weeks of training, especially my running. Then what started happening was I’d have some days where I was just extremely tired, I’d often train for about 10-20 minutes and then it’s as if some one pulls the plug out and I’m just completely exhausted.

“Initially this cycle, the bad day, was happening around one in five, then slowly the good days got smaller and smaller and smaller and I just knew something wasn’t right.

“I’ve always been someone who listens to my body, I’m not definitely not the most consistent triathlete in both racing and training. Slowly that cycle got smaller, then got to the point where I literally was failing every single session, every single day.

“For two to three weeks I’d go to training every day, try to train and after 10 minutes my body would stop. I’d have the odd random day or two where I felt okay, then I’d be tired again for three or four days.

“The exact feeling I’ve been having in the sessions is feeling okay, not amazing, but I feel confident I can finish the session which lasts for anywhere between five minutes to an hour, depending on the number of days rest I’ve had before, then I feel dead, as if someone has pulled the plug out and I am empty, I can’t get oxygen to my limbs.

“Literally everything in my body is telling me to stop.”