Sam Laidlow sweeps IRONMAN Leeds and seals his ticket to Nice
The first edition of HOMBRE DE HIERRO Leeds This Sunday was held with an all-male event for professional athletes. At 6:00 a.m., the triathletes took to the water in Waterloo Lake (Roundhay Park) under almost perfect conditions.
The French Sam Laidlow, world champion in 2023, took the lead from swimming (45:50), starting alongside Kieran Lindars, Josh Lewis y Cenzino Lebot, with just four seconds between them.
Laidlow's dominance from the bike
Once on the bike, laidlow did what he does best: open a gap. He took advantage of the demanding ramps of Black Hill Road, in the northwest area of Leeds, to gain a minute on his pursuers in the first kilometers. By the end of the first loop he was already four minutes ahead of Nathan Guerber, with the trio Lewis–Lindars–Palmer one minute back.
On the third lap, Guerbeur began to cut back slightly, but it wasn't enough: Laidlow arrived at T2 with more than five minutes of advantage and with everything in favor.
A devastating marathon to close the exhibition
With a partial 2:41:15, the fastest of the day, Laidlow gave no choiceHis initial pace was close to 3:30/km, and halfway through the race he was already nearly nine minutes ahead of Guerbeur. Even with a slight drop in pace, his dominance was complete.
Completed the tour in 8:10:08, achieving the best time in all three segments and confirming his great form after also winning in Challenge RothWith this victory, he seals his qualification for the World Cup in Nice, where he will defend his title.
Battle for the slots: Palmer and Lindars earn a trip to Nice
There Three slots for the IRONMAN World Championship in NiceWith Laidlow already qualified, they passed into the hands of those next to the finish line. guerbeur (8: 24: 43) and Harry palmer (8:28:42) They achieved it with ease, but the fight for fourth place was intense. Kieran Lindars, after giving up on the bike, he came back on foot and overtook Lewis in the final kilometers to take the last ticket.
Men's Qualifying – IRONMAN Leeds 2025
| Job title | Athlete | Swimming | Cycling | Career | Total |
| 1 | Sam Laidlow (FRA) | 45:50 | 4:38:04 | 2:41:15 | 8:10:08 |
| 2 | Nathan Guerber (FRA) | 46:37 | 4:42:24 | 2:50:18 | 8:24:43 |
| 3 | Harry palmer (GBR) | 46:33 | 4:48:05 | 2:48:45 | 8:28:42 |
| 4 | Kieran Lindars (GBR) | 45:52 | 4:55:12 | 2:47:30 | 8:33:38 |
| 5 | Joshua Lewis (GBR) | 45:53 | 4:48:29 | 2:56:07 | 8:35:53 |
| 6 | Will Grace (GBR) | 46:36 | 5:02:11 | 2:44:48 | 8:38:52 |
| 7 | William Mennesson (FRA) | 49:25 | 4:52:26 | 3:01:43 | 8:50:23 |
| 8 | Matthew Collins (GBR) | 46:31 | 5:03:12 | 2:57:13 | 8:53:05 |
| 9 | samuel boettinger (GER) | 50:47 | 5:01:06 | 2:56:23 | 8:53:41 |
| 10 | James Scott Farrington (GBR) | 48:41 | 5:05:28 | 2:54:34 | 8:55:15 |
