Sam Laidlow is a major doubt for Sunday’s PTO Tour Asian Open after being hit by a viral infection in Singapore.

The French star, runner-up at last year’s IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, had been expected to be a major contender for the big showdown with Kristian Blummenfelt, Jason West, Gustav Iden and co.

But Laidlow, who only recently recovered from the calf injury which ruined his victory bid at Challenge Roth, revealed on Saturday that he may not make the start line.

He said: “This one stings a bit..

“After arriving safely in Singapore and getting used to the conditions and surroundings pretty nicely. Last night I started coming down with some sort of viral infection and have just been sweating in bed for the last 20h with a temperature and lots of phlegm.

“The PTO team helped out with finding a sports doctor asap to see if we can turn it around before tomorrow’s race.
The doc strongly advised not to race mentioning I’d struggle to regulate my core temp like normal which could then have an impact further down the line.

“I am trying to stay optimistic and will do everything I can to rest, recover and make it to the start line tomorrow.

“I will take my final decision tomorrow.”

Laidlow recently returned to action after that Roth misery with a solid victory at Challenge London earlier this month.