Search
shop

Lionel Sanders, Holly Lawrence retain 70.3 Mont Tremblant titles

All about the bike? When Lionel Sanders & Holly Lawrence hit 'beast mode', well, there is not a lot that their rivals can do about it. 70.3 Tremblant recap
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

Classy wins for the defending champions in Canada

Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada, was the venue for the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships. Since then, Lionel Sanders has won the race three times in a row, while Great Britain’s Holly Lawrence has been 2nd / 1st / 1st. One might reasonably suggest that right now, they are pretty warm favourites for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships later this year in Chattanooga.

If you follow Pro racing over the distance, the race reports can be described as ‘template’ performances by both winners. Broadly, even their opponents know what they are going to do… but can they do anything about it? It appears – Alistair Brownlee aside – not.

Bike destruction #1

For Sanders – an impressive winner recently at The Championship in Samorin, Slovakia – the day starts, as do most, by losing around 2:40 in the water to swim leader Antoine Jolicouer Desroches (CAN), with eventual second place finisher, Taylor Reid, just a few seconds further back.

Once on the bike, ‘Colonel’ Sanders lets rip with beast mode and rides a 2:01:53 split (nobody else breaks 2:10…), for a big lead at T2, before adding a 1:14:01 run (just to rub it in, the fastest of the day too), for a crushing margin of over eight minutes.

For Lionel – who was last out of the water at the World Championships at the same venue, three years ago, a 2:40 swim deficit is still a significant sign of progress in his weakest discipline. For his opponents, that is a concern!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVx6SN3ngTM/

Bike destruction #2

And for Lawrence? Well, after a rare loss at the (swim cancelled) Escape from Alcatraz, her total domination of the 70.3 scene continued in familiar fashion. Leading out of the water with ITU regular, Sarah True (USA) on her shoulder, the World Champion then just put herself in another post code once on two wheels. She rode a 2:19:30 bike split, while nobody else broke the 2:25 mark. Game over.

While Lawrence isn’t the ‘fastest’ runner, she plays her cards well and is still very strong on that closing half marathon. With a big lead, she came home to break the tape with a comfortable four minute lead and collect the $10,000 first prize. It is going to take something special to stop Holly adding back-to-back World titles in Chattanooga.

IRONMAN 70.3 Mont Tremblant, Canada – Sunday 25th June 2017
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Lionel Sanders (CAN) – 3:46:04
2nd -Taylor Reid (CAN) – 3:52:18
3rd – Cody Beals (CAN) – 3:54:26

PRO WOMEN

1st – Holly Lawrence (GBR) – 4:14:24
2nd – Sarah True (USA) – 4:18:21
3rd – Magali Tisseyre (CAN) – 4:19:17

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth run 2023 photo credit Challenge Roth
Laura Siddall signs off amazing pro career in fitting place at beloved Challenge Roth
Kristian Blummenfelt wins 703 Aix en Provence 2025
Triathlon rival accepts superstar Kristian Blummenfelt’s challenge with cheeky Insta message
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping line lunge 2025
New European Champion Caroline Pohle suffered ‘hate on social media’ after protest upheld
Alex Yee thumbs up Paris Olympics 2024 photo credit world triathlon
Superstar Brit Alex Yee launches his own triathlon to inspire next generation into the sport
Lisa Tertsch Cassandre Beaugrand Beth Potter Hamburg WTCS 2024 Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon
WTCS Hamburg 2025: Start time, preview and how to watch live
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...