Search
shop

Sam Laidlow teases ‘fastest bike on the planet’ for IRONMAN Kona

Reigning IRONMAN World Champion reveals what recent aero tests told him ahead of his title defence in Hawaii on October 26.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Sam Laidlow was a sensational winner of the IRONMAN World Championship in 2023, but he knows that a repeat of that performance may not be enough to retain his crown.

Just over 12 months ago on home soil in Nice, the 25-year-old Frenchman roared to a spectacular success after destroying his rivals with a quite brilliant bike leg through the mountains of the Cote d’Azur.

In just over two weeks though Laidlow will face a very different test as he takes on the challenge of Kona, the spiritual home of long-course triathlon and a brutal challenge for all.

Advertisement

Laidlow faces Blummenfelt et al

Sam will also face some opponents who were missing on the French Riviera last year – notably Norwegian superstars Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden. Laidlow split the Scandinavian giants at Kona in 2022, leading deep into the run before finally giving best to the imperious Iden.

The battle on Saturday October 26 (we have not even mentioned the likes of Magnus Ditlev or Patrick Lange yet) is a mouthwatering one, with a stellar field set to line up. And Laidlow knows what will likely be needed to retain his crown.

He is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to grab all the gains he can ahead of Hawaii, and that included a recent trip to a Barcelona velodrome for aero testing. A trip he captured on video.

You can watch the full video at the bottom of this page, and there are some fascinating nuggets (the ones which are not blurred out as Laidlow keeps some things under wraps until Hawaii).

Laidlow on ‘exciting’ aero gains

So how did Sam sum up his day in the Catalan city? What did he come away with? And should it have his Kona rivals worried?

He revealed: “Actually one of my best aero testing days, sometimes it can be quite frustrating but today was really good.

“We found some exciting gains – I’m not sure we’ll be able to show everything in vlog because, well, I want to keep some things for Kona. We’re going to be quite a bit faster in Kona.

“I’m not faking it for the video. Sometimes I’ve spent a whole day testing, sometimes two days testing, and found nothing. But yeah, we’ve opened some really good doors to finding some gains.

“The thing with aerodynamics, it’s never ending so we’re gonna carry on, slowly getting faster and faster and faster.”

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
Maya Kingma Karlovy Vary win 2024
Two-time Olympic triathlete joins top pro cycling team – and is set to race in Giro d’Italia
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...