Less drafting in 2025: IRONMAN's RaceRanger data
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HOMBRE DE HIERRO RaceRanger has released its 2025 data with a detailed analysis of professional drafting and announces a historic expansion of the system to more than 40 races in 2026.
IRONMAN releases RaceRanger 2025 data and confirms a major system expansion for 2026
IRONMAN has released the first comprehensive report generated using data from the RaceRanger system during the 2025 season of the IRONMAN Pro Series, a tool designed to accurately measure the behavior of athletes in the drafting zone.
According to the organization, the use of this system has significantly reduced illegal time spent in the slipstream and improved the quality of refereeing at professional events.
Furthermore, IRONMAN has confirmed that it will expand this technology to more than 40 tests in 2026, including all events of the upcoming Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series.
A new step towards cleaner racing
The publication of the report comes after professional athletes were warned in the briefings for the IRONMAN and 70.3 World Championships 2025 (Nice, Kona and Marbella).
Unlike the approach of Challenge Roth —where individual data was made public— IRONMAN has opted for a presentation added per eventseeking to avoid controversy and direct comparisons between specific athletes.
Yes, there will be individual analysis, but only on a private level: More than 600 professionals will receive a personalized report in the coming weeks., with its specific drafting metrics in each competition.
This data will include illegal time, number of “Yo-Yo” (entering and exiting the zone without completing an overtake), and the “single longest follow”, that is, the longest period in which an athlete remained within the drafting area.
Less drafting than in 2024
According to data presented by IRONMAN, it is estimated that by 2025 the average illegal time will have been reduced by around 25% compared to last season.
Although there was no active RaceRanger system in 2024 to make an exact comparison, the organization maintains that the figures reflect a clear trend towards cleaner behavior.
In general terms:
- Women: average of 1:09 of illegal time
- Men: average of 2:20
- Events with fewer violationsIRONMAN South Africa (women) and IRONMAN Lake Placid (men)
- Events with greater technical complexity They reflect higher values due to limited overtaking, narrow areas, or group sections.
RaceRanger 2025: Compliance Analysis (PRO WOMEN'S)
| the EVENT | STARTERS | ILLEGAL T. (Medium) | YO-YO (Medium) | LONGEST FOLLOW |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong | 21 | 0:02:47 | 25 | 0:00:31 |
| ISUZU IRONMAN South Africa (African Championship) | 17 | 0:00:15 | 4 | 0:00:07 |
| Athletic Brewing IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside | 29 | 0:01:11 | 9 | 0:00:20 |
| Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas (North American Championship) | 25 | 0:02:12 | 17 | 0:00:24 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Venice–Jesolo | 19 | 0:01:12 | 15 | 0:00:16 |
| Intermountain Health IRONMAN 70.3 St. George (NA Championship) | 28 | 0:00:14 | 4 | 0:00:05 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence | 20 | 0:01:56 | 20 | 0:00:17 |
| Qatar Airways IRONMAN Hamburg (European Championship – F PRO) | 20 | 0:01:13 | 10 | 0:00:19 |
| Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman | 32 | 0:00:23 | 6 | 0:00:09 |
| Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns | 18 | 0:01:43 | 16 | 0:00:20 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea | 20 | 0:00:38 | 8 | 0:00:13 |
| Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid | 27 | 0:01:03 | 12 | 0:00:18 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See–Kaprun | 34 | 0:00:40 | 8 | 0:00:15 |
| IRONMAN World Championship Kona – Women's Race | 54 | 0:00:47 | 11 | 0:00:17 |
| Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Marbella | 49 | 0:00:55 | 11 | 0:00:15 |
| ANNUAL AVERAGE | 27.5 | 0:01:09 | 11.63 | 0:00:16 |
RaceRanger 2025: Compliance Analysis (PRO MALE)
| the EVENT | STARTERS | ILLEGAL T. (Medium) | YO-YO (Medium) | LONGEST FOLLOW |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong | 41 | 0:03:15 | 24 | 0:00:35 |
| ISUZU IRONMAN South Africa (African Championship) | 44 | 0:01:40 | 17 | 0:00:18 |
| Athletic Brewing IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside | 64 | 0:01:15 | 15 | 0:00:20 |
| Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas (North American Championship) | 59 | 0:03:25 | 29 | 0:00:23 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Venice–Jesolo | 60 | 0:02:14 | 24 | 0:00:19 |
| Intermountain Health IRONMAN 70.3 St. George (NA Championship) | 57 | 0:00:46 | 9 | 0:00:14 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence | 61 | 0:04:27 | 29 | 0:00:42 |
| Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman | 37 | 0:00:49 | 10 | 0:00:12 |
| Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns | 30 | 0:03:28 | 40 | 0:00:28 |
| Mainova IRONMAN Frankfurt (European Championship – M PRO) | 39 | 0:02:03 | 23 | 0:00:20 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea | 36 | 0:03:05 | 28 | 0:00:29 |
| Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid | 41 | 0:01:10 | 16 | 0:00:17 |
| IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See–Kaprun | 47 | 0:02:27 | 25 | 0:00:32 |
| IRONMAN World Championship Nice – Men's Race | 53 | 0:03:30 | 44 | 0:00:23 |
| Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Marbella | 58 | 0:01:21 | 21 | 0:00:15 |
| ANNUAL AVERAGE | 48.5 | 0:02:20 | 23.62 | 0:00:23 |
Data as a tool for the future of triathlon
One of the most notable measures is the creation of the “drafting profile” of each professional athlete, an internal document that IRONMAN will give to race officials.
The goal is to improve peloton control, anticipate repetitive behaviors, and make the selection process fairer for future Pro Series circuit competitions.
Athletes with the most illegal time or the most Yo-Yos will receive direct contact from the organization to work on an improvement plan.
From 2026, the system will be present not only at Pro Series events, but also at numerous IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events globally.
For the franchise, the message is clear: Technology will be an essential ally in ensuring cleaner, safer, and fairer races..
