Earlier this year his 2025 season was in doubt due to health issues, but Sam Laidlow is on the comeback trail heading into his first race of the year at Challenge Roth on July 6.

And despite the fact he is still struggling with a debilitating electrolyte imbalance, the IRONMAN 2023 world champion hasn’t completely given up hope of beating the odds and winning back his crown in Nice in September.

It’s been a long, tough road back for Laidlow, who questioned whether he had a future in the sport after his epic blow up at Kona last year.

“So far away”

But in an upbeat YouTube video recorded four weeks before Roth, he said: “Even though I’m still so far away from what I have been, I’m holding on to that one per cent in me which thinks I can maybe win in Nice.

“Roth will be a good test, force me to race a bit differently. Maybe less aggressive. Swimming and running I’m not a million miles away from my top shape.

“But compared to where I was at before Kona I’m a long way off. If I can get through the race competitively, I’ll be happy because it’s been complicated since the start of the year.”

Laidlow is training under the watchful eye of father and coach Richard, a former RAF physical instructor, who is slowly building up his base fitness and “seeing how much training Sam can absorb without causing any breakdowns.”

But Laidlow, whose sole win last season was at the London T100, thinks he has found an edge in the swim at least – with a new secret weapon wetsuit.

He said: “Getting used to the new wetsuit, which I’m really enjoying. Much thinner material behind the arms. I used to struggle to pull my arms back and my muscles there used to tire a lot quicker than they do now.”

Laidlow also outlined his race strategy for Challenge Roth, and admitted he has one eye on Germany’s Frederic Funk as he eases back into elite competition.

“Beat the best”

He said: “I’ll probably just sit in the pack for once. Chill. And wait for Fred Funk to come back and maybe go on a little ride with Fred. See what my body is capable of on the run.

“I’ve shown I have the ability to beat the best. Now it’s about what you can do to unlock that. I’m striving to be happy, healthy and fit so I can win races.”

After the last few months he’s been through, there will certainly be plenty of well-wishers rooting for him.