Sam Laidlow looking to validate IRONMAN World Championship slot in Leeds

Brilliant Challenge Roth winner and 2023 IRONMAN World Champion Sam Laidlow tops the start list for the first ever IRONMAN Leeds on Sunday July 27th.

The new event is a men-only pro race this year and almost the last chance to qualify for the World Championships which will be held in Nice this year for the men.

The only other men’s full-distance race after this weekend’s IRONMAN Lake Placid before the window slams shut is IRONMAN Copenhagen on August 17th – but only one slot is available there, compared to three in Leeds.

No need to go flat out

France’s Laidlow only has to validate his place by “racing competitively” and “finishing” in Leeds – although there can sometimes be leeway in the way that is interpreted!

He had endured a torrid time in training ever since his epic blow up at the IMWC in Kona last year, which made his reappearance win at Roth on July 6th all the more remarkable.

His full focus now is on a return to Nice where he won the IRONMAN World Championship the last time it was held there in 2023.

But his presence in Yorkshire is a huge boost for the first running of IRONMAN Leeds, which features the full range of age-group events, and he’s joined by plenty of other big name and in-form athletes.

Strong British challenge

The one-two-three from IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea last Sunday, which was an IRONMAN Pro Series race for the first time, all make the short trip north to Leeds.

Harry Palmer (GBR) defended his title in style in Wales as he saw off training partner Leon Chevalier (FRA) and Kieran Lindars (GBR).

Another British triathlon favourite in the shape of Joe Skipper, 14th at Challenge Roth, will also race Leeds after his engaging stint as an expert summariser on the live broadcast in Swansea. The lumpy bike course should play to his strengths too.

And Kiwi star Braden Currie is also on the entry list, though that could be as a precaution as he’s racing IRONMAN Lake Placid this weekend where there are four Nice slots up for grabs – with Chevalier and a couple of others in a similar position.

The full Leeds start list – as it stands – is below.

IRONMAN Leeds start list (MPRO race only)