Sam Laidlow, the 2023 IRONMAN World Champion and this season’s Challenge Roth winner, will use Challenge Samarkand in Uzbekistan as his final prep race for Kona this year.

The 27-year-old Frenchman is three from three in 2026, kicking things off with victory at 70.3 Valencia and following that with a dominant success at IRONMAN Lanzarote before he saw off Kristian Blummenfelt and Rico Bogen at a star-studded Challenge Roth in what was a world-record full-distance time.

The Valencia win qualified him for the 70.3 World Championship on Sunday 13 September in Nice but he will swerve that in favour of Challenge Samarkand the same day.

‘Final hit-out’

Explaining his reasoning in a press release issued by Challenge Family, Laidlow said Samarkand’s distinctive course, expected conditions and September timing provide the ideal opportunity for one final race before travelling to Hawaii.

He explained: “Challenge Samarkand marks my final stop before the World Championships.

“The course and conditions are exactly what I’m looking for in a final hit-out, and I’m excited to race somewhere completely new.”

The middle-distance race begins with a swim in the purpose-built rowing lake before athletes take on a fast course set within one of Central Asia’s most remarkable destinations.

Incredible cultural heritage

Located along the ancient Silk Road, Samarkand’s 113km course is renowned for taking athletes through centuries of cultural heritage, past extraordinary architecture and historic monuments.

The UNESCO World Heritage setting provides athletes with the rare opportunity to compete in one of the world’s most historic cities, while the modern Silk Road Samarkand complex serves as the centre of the race experience.

Laidlow’s inclusion represents a major addition to an already strong international professional field. Challenge Family says the complete men’s and women’s professional start lists will be announced soon.