TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

‘Since Kona I have been a professional’ – Sam Laidlow kicking on

IMWC runner-up Sam Laidlow looks to be going from strength to strength and heads to the PTO European Open in perfect shape.

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

Frenchman Sam Laidlow proved beyond doubt that he is much more than a “one hit wonder” at Challenge Gran Canaria, as he saw off a strong field to record his first ever middle-distance win as a professional.

The 2022 IRONMAN World Championships runner-up, who has enjoyed a vast amount of coverage since that performance in Kona last October, lived up to the hype with a solid all-round display in Gran Canaria.

Laidlow, still only 24 years of age, will now set his sights on the PTO Tour European Open in Ibiza, where he will have the opportunity to once again prove he is one of the best triathletes in the world.

“I felt terrible”

In a typically entertaining post-race interview, Laidlow shared that despite looking strong across all three disciplines, the swim and the bike were a real struggle in Gran Canaria.

sam-laidlow-kona-2022-run-3
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

“I felt terrible in the swim and bike. There was a lot of cramping, I think it’s a bit of a shock to the system when it’s the first race of the season, but I’m just really proud of how I dealt with it mentally.

“I was going through some rough patches but I kept telling myself that I had to race aggressively, so yeah I’m really stoked with how it went.”

When asked what he had done differently to prepare for the race, Laidlow gave a small insight into the changes that have come about since his result in Kona six months ago.

“I’ve been training a lot harder, and funnily enough it is much easier to train when you get paid for it. Since Kona I have been a professional and that’s really awesome.”

With that financial support and ability to completely focus on training, Laidlow seems to be in great form ahead of Ibiza. Coupled with the confidence that overcoming the mental battle in Gran Canaria will have bought, Laidlow will surely head to the Balearic Island confident he can perform against the best.

Advertisement

Familiar faces

Finally, Laidlow added how great it was to end up on a podium with Margirier as the pair have progressed through the ranks together and battled hard for the win throughout the race.

Sam Laidlow wins Challenge Gran Canaria
Photo Credit – Challenge Family

“Mathis really really pushed me today, we’ve been following each other up the ranks since we were kids, we’ve always been two of the best cyclists in our age group and today I think it was thanks to him and me, and Jan Stratmann that we managed to get away.”

In two weeks time, Laidlow will face the best in the world in Ibiza, as the PTO World #4 looks to replicate the kind of performance that saw him take third at the PTO US Open in 2022, which took place just weeks out from that performance in Kona.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon confirm initial nine teams to qualify for Paris Olympic Games Mixed Relay
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
Ben Kanute / Tom Bishop PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza
Former American Olympic triathlete shares the “s*** side of the sport” after Miami T100
Brownlee Fitness Marathon Training Plan
Brownlee overcomes road closure to record rapid run split at Northern Road Relays
Lucy Charles-Barclay comes home second at the Miami T100.
Lucy Charles-Barclay reveals injury struggle that almost kept her from competing in Miami T100
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...