Preview of Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026
El Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026 held its pre-press conference this Thursday in Puerto del Carmen with Lucy Charles-Barclay, Patrick Lange, Sam Laidlow, Lars Dupont Lomholt and Nina Derron as main protagonists.
The countdown is now in its final stretch. This Saturday, May 23, more than 1.400 triathletes They will take part in the 34th edition of Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote, the oldest race in Europe within the IRONMAN circuit.
The finish line in Puerto del Carmen The official pre-race press conference was held, featuring several big names in international long-distance running. The event served as a gauge of confidence ahead of a highly competitive edition with several world champions on the starting line.
Lucy Charles-Barclay returns to a key island in her career
Lucy Charles-Barclay She arrives in Lanzarote as the reigning champion and one of the leading figures in women's racing. The British athlete, IRONMAN World Champion in 2023, recalled her connection to the island and to Club La Santa at the press conference.
Charles-Barclay explained that Club La Santa played an important role in his first steps in long-distance running.The British athlete noted that in 2016 she registered for IRONMAN Lanzarote as her first professional race, a fact that reinforces the special relationship she maintains with this event.
The reigning champion will once again start as one of the favorites. In 2025, she won convincingly in Puerto del Carmen, where she recorded a time of 9:17:15That victory was reflected in the Chronicle of IRONMAN Lanzarote 2025, along with Dylan Magnien's male victory.
Patrick Lange is looking for a special victory in Europe
In the men's category, one of the main focuses will be on Patrick LangeThe German, a three-time IRONMAN world champion, arrives in Lanzarote with the goal of competing for victory and advancing on his path to Kona.
During the press conference, Lange acknowledged that winning in Lanzarote would have a special meaning for him, as it would represent his first IRONMAN victory in EuropeHe was also cautious when talking about the race records and the possibility of running a marathon in under 2 hours and 30 minutes on such a demanding course.
The German returned to the top of the IRONMAN world rankings in 2024, when he won his third title in Hawaii. That track record makes him one of the biggest names on the start list, although Lanzarote presents a very different challenge than Kona. You can find more context in the report. Patrick Lange as IRONMAN World Champion 2024.
Sam Laidlow wants to validate his Kona spot
Sam Laidlow He will also be one of the names to watch this Saturday. The Frenchman, IRONMAN world champion in 2023, arrives with good feelings and a specific goal: to finish the race and secure his spot for Kona.
Laidlow explained that this race will test his endurance and that he feels he is “on the right track.” In a race like Lanzarote, his ability to toughen up the cycling segment could be one of the factors that determines the men's race.
The island's course, with its wind, elevation changes, and volcanic terrain, could favor triathletes capable of creating gaps on the bike. Laidlow, Arthur Horseau, Leon Chevalier, Dylan Magnien, and Matthew Palmer could have a significant impact on this.
Lars Dupont Lomholt and Nina Derron, two profiles to keep in mind
The press conference also included Lars Dupont Lomholtwho will be competing in Lanzarote for the fourth time. The Dane highlighted the value of having trained at Club La Santa and acknowledged that qualifying for Kona would be a great result.
In the women's test, Nina Derron She appears as one of the main alternatives to Lucy Charles-Barclay. The Swiss player arrives after a year of significant progress and explained that she can now better focus on her recovery and preparation.
Derron will be one of the names to watch in a women's race that will also include Stephanie Clutterbuck, Julia Skala, Angela Naeth, Molly Savill, and Marit Lindemann, among other professionals.
Jordi Montraveta leads the Spanish presence
The Spanish delegation will be headed by Jordi Montraveta, second place in the last two editions of the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote.
The Catalan knows the race well and has demonstrated a great ability to adapt to the course. In 2025 he finished second, just 38 seconds behind Dylan Magnien, and in 2024 he also took silver. This track record once again positions him as a contender for the podium and a spot in Kona.
In the IRONMAN Lanzarote 2025 resultsMontraveta has already recorded one of the best Spanish performances of the year in long-distance running. He will also be competing in the men's professional race. Jonathan Sánchez Mosquera.
An edition with more than 1.400 triathletes
El Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026 It will bring together more than 1.400 participants in Puerto del Carmen. The race maintains its long-distance format, with a 3,8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bike ride, and a 42,2-kilometer run.
On Saturday, the men's PRO start is scheduled for 7:00h, the women's PRO exit to the 7:05h and the departure of age groups among the 7: 10 and 7: 20 hours, according to the official test program.
The test will award places for the IRONMAN World Championship and will have a professional fund of $25.000You can consult the preview published by Triathlon News. IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026 start list and PRO favorites.
Fabio Cabrera highlights the legacy of the event
Fabio CabreraThe director of the La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote Club, focused on the legacy of the race and the continuity of long-distance triathlon on the island.
Cabrera explained that he does not experience this edition as something sad, despite it being the last IRONMAN Lanzarote under the current format, and stressed that he feels proud of the legacy built and that the race continues in Lanzarote.
With world champions, defending champions, Kona hopefuls and more than 1.400 triathletes at the starting line, the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026 It arrives on Saturday with all the ingredients for an open and demanding race.
