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Sam Laidlow announces his 2025 calendar

Six races with two world objectives

French triathlete Sam Laidlow has announced his calendar for 2025.

After his joke about his “successful” time in the HYROX world and a solid performance in the previous season, he has chosen to take a turn that promises strong emotions.

Specifically, he has confirmed that he will focus on six competitions, two of them from the franchise HOMBRE DE HIERRO that every triathlete dreams of winning: Nice y Marbella.

For the moment, this bet means giving up the main qualifying circuits and, in the process, getting off the train of T100 Triathlon World Tour.

The announcement of their new calendar

In a post via social media, Laidlow presented the tests where he plans to compete.

The starting point will be IRONMAN South Africa, which takes place on March 30, 2025. This African event will not only serve to get the season off to a strong start, but also to secure one of the coveted 'slots' that will allow him to be on the starting line of the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice.

Just a week later, on April 5, he will fly to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the Sir Bani Yas Challenge, an inaugural event that combines swimming, cycling and running in a unique setting.

The third stop will be the IRONMAN 70.3 Venice, scheduled for May 4. This Italian city, famous for its canals, will become another battlefield for him, with the aim of fine-tuning his performance in view of the main objectives.

Two weeks later, on May 18, the IRONMAN 70.3 of Aix-en-Provence, where he could seek qualification if he does not achieve it in Venice, and which is held close to his family environment on the French coast.

Six races with two world objectives

Laidlow's choice of races is no coincidence. His main motivation is to achieve the title of champion for the second time. IRONMAN World Champion.

Now, with the change of venues and the option of competing on the Côte d'Azur, September 15 is the big date marked on his calendar. Nice, where he has already demonstrated his potential on previous occasions, could be the perfect stage for the Canyon athlete to reaffirm his name in history.

But there is a second challenge at stake: the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, which this year will be held in Marbella on November 9.

With that potential double in mind, Laidlow is forced to be very careful at every step, from securing slots to managing his physical and mental state throughout the season.

These are the races in detail:

  • IRONMAN South Africa (March 30): Season opener and first big test for Sam.
  • Sir Bani Yas Challenge (April 5): Inaugural event in the Middle East, where the Frenchman aims to get on the podium.
  • IRONMAN 70.3 Venice (May 4): Opportunity to seek qualification for Marbella.
  • IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence (May 18): Plan B for qualification and a chance to race on home soil.
  • IRONMAN World Championship in Nice (September 15): The great long-distance goal.
  • IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella (November 9): Final date and possibility of historic double.

Goodbye to the T100 and the fight for the ranking

The most surprising headline has not only been his new calendar, but also his open refusal to participate in the T100 Triathlon World Tour, a circuit in which he was one step away from having an automatic place for the current season.

For many, this series of tests is the quickest way to gain visibility and win important financial prizes. However, Laidlow seems to have a clear long-term vision.

As he has stated, he prefers to focus on events that, in his own words, “satisfy the soul.” His motto is very clear: “Rankings can fill your account, titles fill the soul.”

This means that we will not see him fighting for positions in the general classification of the PTO or fighting in the Pro Series, but also giving their all in the classic IRONMAN races.

The Frenchman is not alone in this decision. A few days ago, he also Magnus ditlev announced his withdrawal from the T100.

It remains to be seen how the organisation will react to the departure of two important figures, when there are still eight male places to be confirmed to complete the list of 20 triathletes who will compete in that series.

While points-based calendars have significantly boosted professionalism, Laidlow wants to focus on what he believes is essential: leaving his mark and a legacy.

That is why he is committed to competing in events with tradition, in venues that represent a challenge and with his sights set on proclaiming himself, once again, the best in the long distance.

Drafting

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