Sam Long becomes the latest top pro athlete to share his intentions for the season, with the American star recently announcing his plans on YouTube.
With the PTO Tour and new IRONMAN Pro Series leaving athletes spoilt for choice when it comes to racing in 2024, many are focusing on maximising their talent at one of the two series.
For Long, who had been so successful at both the PTO Tour and IRONMAN events over the past season, the decision to prioritise one over the other can’t have come easily.
“I’m looking forward to a lot of things”
Revealing his plans after a candid video evaluating his past season, Long shared that he is firmly focused on the middle distance scene in 2024, with a particular focus on the 100km distance.
“Overall, it was a great year and next year I’m looking forward to a lot of things. I have a lot of decisions to make, but I think I am going to focus on the PTO Series and double down on the IRONMAN 70.3 distance and the 100km, mostly focused on the PTO.
“I think I still did quite well in 2023 and I’m ending the year ranked PTO World #9, so three years in the top 10, but the missing piece for me has been getting a podium on the world stage this year.”
With the PTO Tour recognised as the official World Championship Tour of long distance triathlon in 2024, Long will get the opportunity to chase the podium on the world stage that he has been vying for.
In the meantime, with the full PTO Tour schedule still unannounced, Long will be honing his craft over the traditional middle distance, with the Boulder native racing his first event of the year this weekend in Chile at IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon.
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