Fields for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Lake Placid show big names continue to flock to Ironman Pro Series
Ironman Pro Series continues to attract large fields with some of the sport's biggest names

While some thought the launch of the Professional Triathletes Organisation’s T100 Triathlon Pro Series was supposed to signal the death-knell of Ironman pro racing, the large and impressive fields that have been lining up at the Ironman Pro Series events this year have proved those predictions wrong. The next two weekends of racing certainly prove that as some of the biggest names in the sport are set to line up at Ironman events in Spain and the United States, with the next PTO event scheduled for London at the end of the month.
Laidlow and Matthews highlight Vitoria-Gasteiz

Reigning Ironman world champion Sam Laidlow (FRA) looks to validate his Kona slot this weekend (the race starts at 8 AM local time) in Spain’s Basque Country, and no-doubt hopes to start rounding into form as he prepares for another top finish at the Ironman worlds. (He took second in Kona in 2022, then won in Nice last year.) It’s been a slow start for the Frenchman, who took ninth at T100 Miami and then didn’t finish at T100 Singapore, his only two starts so far this season. He’ll take on some speedy competition on the weekend, including Poland’s Robert Wilkowiecki, Denmark’s Kristian Hogenhaug, Great Britain’s David McNamee and his countryman and training partner Arthur Horseau.
You can see the full men’s and women’s Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz field here.

Great Britain’s Kat Matthews has had some ups and downs through the season (a calf injury at T100 Miami, then a win at Ironman Texas, then a DQ at Ironman Hamburg after a mis-timed pass in a no-pass zone at Ironman Hamburg), but her impressive race at T100 San Francisco put her back on track to pursue her ambitious goal of finishing at the top of both the T100 and Ironman series. She’ll get a second chance to add an Ironman win to her Pro Series tally, and we’re not going to be surprised to see her bounce back for another big race in London in a few weeks.
Speaking of bouncing back, the Netherlands’ Els Visser is registered for Vitoria-Gasteiz, just a week after a third-place finish at Challenge Roth. Others to watch in the field include Great Britain’s Ruth Astle and Germany’s Daniela Bleymehl.
Skipper, Sanders and Currie just a few of the names in Lake Placid

An incredible men’s field is set to line up at the 25th anniversary event in Lake Placid the week after the Vitoria-Gasteiz race. Defending men’s champion Joe Skipper (Great Britain) is back, but he’ll have some company blasting at the front of the race in the Adirondacks. Canadian Lionel Sanders has been impressive in his two victories so far this year (70.3 Oceanside and 70.3 Mont-Tremblant) and is looking to continue his winning ways. Braden Currie, fresh off a runner-up finish at Ironman Cairns (Skipper was sixth at the Australian race), arrives as another of the pre-race favourites. The list of potential champions and podium finishers continues with names like Matt Hanson, Chris Leiferman, Michael Weiss, Bart Aernouts, Josh Amberger, Jackson Laundry, Sam Appleton … there are 66 pro men registered for the race, so we could go on for a bit, but you get the picture.
Despite two big 70.3 wins, Lionel Sanders is “still afraid to go to the Ironman”

The women’s race also sees the returning champion taking on a top field that includes multiple Ironman champion Kyle Simpson (AUS), fellow Americans Jackie Hering and Sarah True. The podium contenders are numerous as well, including Lotte Wilms, Danielle Lewis, Erin Schenkels, Lauren Brandon and many more … there are 33 pro women registered for the race.
As part of the Ironman Pro Series, both races will feature live coverage on proseries.ironman.com, YouTube and DAZN, for international audiences; L’Équipe in France; and on Outside TV for U.S. and Canadian audiences.Â