The Best of Frenemies? Laidlow picks Long as one to watch in Miami

Whilst by now some may have forgotten what ended up being the high point of triathlon trash talking back at the Collins Cup in 2022, we certainly haven’t!

Two years ago, rising star Sam Laidlow and USA hotshot Sam Long locked horns on more than one occasion in the build up to their matchup, which was eventually won by…Lionel Sanders.

Despite making nice afterwards, the rivalry seemed to have remained, until late last week IRONMAN World Champion Laidlow appeared to extend a token recognition for the American in his most recent YouTube video.

How the tables turn

Having once labelled him a ‘duathlete’, Laidlow seems to have garnered some more respect for Long’s ability over recent months, as he picked out the Tuscon based pro as one of the one’s to watch in Miami when announcing his race calendar.

Sam Long Sam Laidlow Collins Cup press conference photo credit Darren Wheeler and PTO — [Photo credit: Darren Wheeler / PTO]

“I will probably race first of all at the PTO event in Miami, which is pretty soon as the season this year gets started pretty early.

“It makes it difficult and I think because of that, it suits some other athletes better, like the ones coming from the Southern Hemisphere or the guys who keep the level throughout the season, like Magnus [Ditlev] or Sam Long.”

“I think these guys will be really strong in the first races”

Going on to explain his own objectives coming into the first couple of races, Laidlow says he expects Ditlev and Long to be in top shape and says for him, it’s more about the chance to race the best in the world.

“I think those guys will be really strong in those first races and for me, it’s not about winning these initial PTO events.

“Racing will be about trying to go up against the best in the world, see where I’m performing at and work on my flaws.”

Laidlow also said that he will race in Singapore in April, before validating his Kona slot at IRONMAN Vitoria and racing the T100 London and Ibiza events.

Due to the demands of the T100 Tour, the Frenchman stated that he would not be competing at either Challenge Roth or the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.