IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells 2025: Sanders and Long face off again
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El HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 La Quinta – Indian Wells 2025 brings together this Sunday Lionel Sanders y Sam long in a highly anticipated duel that marks the Canadian's return to competition.
Sanders returns to the scene in La Quinta: a direct duel with Sam Long
This Sunday, December 7th, a new edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta – Indian Wells 2025, a date that closes the calendar North American middle-distance triathlon that reunites two of the most popular names in international triathlon: Lionel Sanders y Sam long.
The American race has become a regular stage for the end of the season, perfect for gauging feelings before the winter break, but this year it comes with an extra interest: the return of the Canadian after six complicated months.
Sanders, who started 2025 by winning in Oceanside y St. GeorgeHe hadn't competed since spring. His message on social media was clear: “The last six months have been tough, but my form is improving and I feel ready to compete again… I can't wait to be on the starting line.” Given this context, his presence in Indian Wells is generating a lot of questions and expectations.
Long, for his part, arrives with a solid season, stringing together consistent performances and demonstrating that he remains one of the strongest cyclists on the circuit.
His battles with Sanders are already part of the recent history of triathlon: from impossible bike attacks to epic comebacks in the running race.
A start list with important names… and Spanish presence
La male professional list It includes top-level triathletes in the middle distance such as Matt Hanson, Joe Skipper, Jackson Laundry, Ari klau, Federico Scarabinoand the presence of Spanish Carlos Oliver Vives, who starts with the number 27.
What can we expect from the Sanders-Long duel?
Under normal circumstances, this would be a train wreck between two athletes capable of breaking the race apart from the bike, but this year the script is different.
Sanders arrives after a period of uncertainty due to gluteal discomfort and inconsistent training. Long is more match-fit, although Indian Wells has never been a predictable race.
Even with doubts surrounding his condition, Sanders rarely runs half-heartedly: every time he steps onto a starting line, he does so to fight for the win. Indian Wells could be his first step toward a rebuilding process leading up to 2026.
How to follow it live
The IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta can be followed live through the official app IRONMAN Tracker, the usual tool to find out the swimming, cycling and running splits of all professionals.
The men's race will start at 16:00 (Spanish time) and five minutes later the women's team will do so.
If you want to experience the return of Lionel Sanders and his duel with Sam long In virtually real time, simply search for the race in the application and follow the split times in each segment.
