Sam Laidlow, runner-up at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last October, has ruled himself out of the PTO European Open in Ibiza on 6 May.

The Frenchman, ranked #4 in the latest world rankings, started his season in perfect style with his first middle-distance win at Challenge Gran Canaria last weekend.

He had been expected to be part of a stellar men’s field that features all the Olympic champions since 2008 – Jan Frodeno, Alistair Brownlee and Kristian Blummenfelt – but is now out of the equation.

‘A lot of things going on’

He explained on Instagram: “Unfortunately I won’t be taking part in the PTO European Open, it’s a bit of a bummer – I’ve got some personal issues to take care of and also I’m also in the middle of moving house, just a lot of things going on.

“It’s probably a bit too much. The season’s very long and I want to make sure I deliver in Nice at the end of the year.

“See you in IRONMAN Lanzarote.”

His big target is the first-ever IRONMAN World Championship on ‘home’ roads in Nice but before then he’s aiming to take in not just Lanzarote but also Challenge Roth.

Man in form

Wherever he next goes, he will head there on the back of that impressive win at Gran Canaria.

He got the better of long-time friend, rival and compatriot Mathis Margirier there to take the win in a sprint finish, with Australian Aaron Royle rounding out the podium.