Home > Feature

The 2019 Ironman Mont Tremblant men’s pro preview

The mens pro race appears to be a Beals versus Sanders duel, but there are other strong contenders

This Sunday is the eighth edition of Ironman Mont Tremblant. Ahead of the big race, we break down the male major professional contenders, at what is the last weekend to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in 2019.

(Course record: 8:10 by Cody Beals in 2018)

Challenge roth
Cody Beals won the 2018 Ironman Mont-Tremblant in his debut Ironman race.

This draw looks to play out as the all Canadian showdown “Beals vs. Sanders Round II,” yet both athletes form remains a mystery. Lionel Sanders and Cody Beals are both returning from long-term injury and have had little-to-no racing recently. Last year’s race featured an unexpected win by Beals in his first Ironman attempt, as Sanders struggled to second place in preparation for Ironman Hawaii.

Beals had a record setting race here last year but no wins yet in 2019. He is currently undefeated at the Ironman distance with two wins in two tries, but withdrew from July’s Challenge Roth with an Achilles injury. His last race was June’s Ironman 70.3 Eagleman (second place). He has already qualified for the 2019 Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI.

Crowd favourite Sanders has not raced a long-course triathlon since his December 2018 win at Indian Wells 70.3. He won an incredible four consecutive times at Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 from 2015-2018 but was unable to start the race this year due to a sacral stress fracture injury. This is his last opportunity to qualify for the 2019 Ironman World Championships.

Triathlon Magazine Canada contributor, and Ste-Anne-Des-Lacs resident Antoine Jolicoeur Desroches was fourth overall last year at Ironman Mont Tremblant and will be looking to improve that result. He was also seventh at Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant in June this year.

Antoine Desroches on his Argon 18 at Ironman Mont-Tremblant 2018.

Antony Costes of France is definitely a contender with a 7:49 Ironman PB set at Barcelona in 2017. He is probably known more for his odd, but fast aerobar setup seen here:

 

 

Moncton’s age grouper, recently-turned pro Cedric Boily was fifth at Ironman Mont Tremblant last year, as well as the first age-group finisher. This year he will be racing as a professional. He will be looking for redemption after a tough Mont Tremblant 70.3 race earlier this year.

American Justin Daerr will also be racing. The Boulder, CO resident was sixth at Ironman Boulder in June of this year and won Ironman Boulder in 2014.

Andrew Yoder of Lancaster, PA was fourth at Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 this year. He competed last year at the full distance race but did not finish.