2023 IRONMAN World Championship, Nice, France, Sep 10 & Kona, Hawaii, Oct 14

[Lequack]

PS: For the women's race on October 14, details here:

2023 IRONMAN World Championship, Nice, France, Sep 10 & Kona, Hawaii, Oct 14

Not sure if there is a place for this actually, but they are professionals and there is a 180 km of cycling going on, so it doesn't fit anywhere else. This year the venue is held in Nice, France, as opposed to the traditional Koan Hawaai course. All the big names are here as well: Stars to...

forum.cyclingnews.com

Not sure if there is a place for this actually, but they are professionals and there is a 180 km of cycling going on, so it doesn't fit anywhere else.
This year the venue is held in Nice, France, as opposed to the traditional Koan Hawaai course. All the big names are here as well:

Stars to watch:
Germany’s multiple champions Patrick Lange and Jan Frodeno are seeking their third and fourth titles, respectively, with Beijing 2008 gold medallist Frodeno racing in his last World Champs before retiring at the end of the year.
The list of favourites also includes France’s Sam Laidlow, who finished second last year, and up-and-comers Magnus Ditlev of Denmark, the winner of Roth 2023 and the long-course world record holder and PTO European winner Max Neumann of Australia.
Double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee is among the notable names who missed qualification, along with Sam Long, Lionel Sanders, Tim O’Donnell and Ben Hoffmann.

The Men’s Ironman World Championship is in Nice, France This Year, and the Bike Course is Bonkers

With double the climbing of the Kona course, we predict that only the true cyclists will do well in this race

www.bicycling.com

Also the race is already going on, they're about 40km into their cycling effort. Live stream here:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36vbzcIuZw

or

Live

www.ironman.com

 

[Lequack]

The course
In Kona, the bike course is all lava fields and coastlines. Exposed terrain with fierce hair dryer gusts of wind. Not flat, but not wildly climby. Nice will likely also be steamy, but the bike route will offer a significantly more varied course.

Over the 112-mile course, athletes will climb nearly 8,000 feet with much of it coming in the first 40 miles. That’s almost double the elevation gain in Kona. Along with the massive ascents, there are also quite technical descents, especially on a tri bike.

But the course will also be exceptionally beautiful. Riders will follow the roads out of Nice and into the hills, through the hinterland via quaint villages. They’ll have picturesque views of the Alpes-Maritimes region on the climb, and then experience the scenic Clues de Gréolières on the descent, including roads through natural rock arches. And if you’re following along at home, some of the roads might look familiar as they’ve been featured in various Tour de France stages.

 

[dazaau]

What?! I'm not sure I can take this. No men's race in Kona. If I was still chasing the Ironman qualifying dream I would be gutted if it wasn't in Kona.

More racing bikes in France is good and all, but I'd rather ride mountains in France and do triathlons in Hawaii

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Cameron Wurf is running 7th, he‘ll probably make up more spots on the bike.

 

[Lequack]

What?! I'm not sure I can take this. No men's race in Kona. If I was still chasing the Ironman qualifying dream I would be gutted if it wasn't in Kona.

More racing bikes in France is good and all, but I'd rather ride mountains in France and do triathlons in Hawaii

They seemed to have spiced it up a bit, not sure why though.

From the link in the first post:
"Kailua-Kona, Hawaii has been the spot for the Ironman World Championship for over 40 years. But this year, for the first time, the men and women will have their own events, in different locations. The men will race in Nice, France on September 10 and the women will race in Kona on October 14. And next year they’ll swap locations. This rotation will continue through 2026, with the two cities sharing the premier triathlon event."

 

[QueenStagiaire]

They seemed to have spiced it up a bit, not sure why though.

From the link in the first post:
"Kailua-Kona, Hawaii has been the spot for the Ironman World Championship for over 40 years. But this year, for the first time, the men and women will have their own events, in different locations. The men will race in Nice, France on September 10 and the women will race in Kona on October 14. And next year they’ll swap locations. This rotation will continue through 2026, with the two cities sharing the premier triathlon event."

Due to the pandemic, they have a huge backlog of qualified athletes and Kona couldn‘t accommodate both races in a single day, so instead they moved it to Nice. It’s not that great, though.

 

[Lequack]

It' seems the South African athlete Bradley Wise, who was running in 3rd about 2 minutes behind, got a 5 minutes penalty for drafting. Kind of harsh these penalties, why are they so high? You would think a minute, max 2, but 5?

 

[Lequack]

They showed some average power, not sure if that is their current or the average for the 90km.

 

[Lequack]

Rider running in 6th place also just got a 5 minute penalty for littering. Pretty demotivating these big penalties.

 

[Faserr]

It' seems the South African athlete Bradley Wise, who was running in 3rd about 2 minutes behind, got a 5 minutes penalty for drafting. Kind of harsh these penalties, why are they so high? You would think a minute, max 2, but 5?

They are often a bit unfair. Last year in Hawai a lot of athletes got 5min penalties without clear reasons. I would prefer more penalties for mistakes, but less time penalty (perhaps 1-2 minutes).

 

[QueenStagiaire]

No coverage of the French leader, who‘s surprisingly fast in France… hmmm

 

[Lequack]

No coverage of the French leader, who‘s surprisingly fast in France… hmmm

He is very fast. Will be interesting to watch the run and if the faster runners can get close.

Also, how high do you want your socks?

 

[iBanesto]

Norwegians out due to injury?

 

[Faserr]

Norwegians out due to injury?

Iden has a really bad season and is know injured. Blumenfeldt is going all in for Paris 2024.

 

[iBanesto]

Iden has a really bad season and is know injured. Blumenfeldt is going all in for Paris 2024.

Thanks.

I was wondering about Blumenfeldt since he raced in the PTO this year.

 

[saunaking]

They are often a bit unfair. Last year in Hawai a lot of athletes got 5min penalties without clear reasons. I would prefer more penalties for mistakes, but less time penalty (perhaps 1-2 minutes).

CHeck out lionel sander's youtube vlog after getting DQ'd from the 70.3 race in Finland a couple weeks ago for crossing an imaginary line

 

[Nick2413]

The penalties are justified, drafting is a huge problem in pro tri and they’re finally taking it seriously. They do occasionally get it wrong though.

Course was changed because Kona locals are sick of the congestion it brings and IM is forcing the race into multiple events to make more $$$ by separating men and women which makes it last weeks.

This looked like a more exciting course with the climbing but the drawback is bigger gaps and a snoozefest on the run. Nice run by Lange at 2:32 but just not enough.

 

[saunaking]

what is wrong with this sport/organization its impossible to to find a simple top 10 where you can see the S B R times along with the total?

 

[Lequack]

And a month after the men's race there is now the women's race as well.

Unlike the men's race, which was held in France this year, the women's race is using the traditional location in Kona, Hawaii. Other that the location, everything else is the same, and it still feature the 180km bike ride.

Description from the site:
In 2023 the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i will host the very best female professional and age group triathletes from around the world. Their 140.6-mile journey will present the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit. Through decades of stellar athlete achievements, inspirational participants and emotional performances, the IRONMAN World Championship has etched a reputation as the pinnacle of the triathlon landscape and an iconic global sporting event. In 2023 we take our next step in World Championship evolution, by shining a spotlight on women at the KONA® race, while the men’s Championship event is hosted on new ground in Nice, France.
The historic KONA® race will take athletes through the clear waters of Kailua Bay, along the wind-swept coast, and through the barren lava fields of the Island of Hawai`i, providing a unique setting for the ultimate test of strength, grit and heart.
In the midst of our lives, find the light within and the magic that makes our souls soar. Treasure the spirit of aloha within yourself and others as you choose hope, have faith and keep moving forward.

VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Kona Hawai'i | Anything Is Possible

The IRONMAN World Championship has etched a reputation as the pinnacle of the triathlon landscape and an iconic global sporting event.

www.ironman.com

Also the race is already going on, they're just finishing with the swim part, and are going to start the 180km bike ride.
Live stream here:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCXt_j9oSA

or

Live

www.ironman.com

 

[Lequack]

Profile for the bike course:

Past champions:

 

[Lequack]

They have now started the bike ride:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuCXt_j9oSA

And also a German commentators live stream

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTJhcmPnez4

 

[Monte Serra]

May I ask why we, on this sacred cycling forum, are getting exposed to the abomination that is triathlon? Or has the Iron Man repented, and have they done away with swimming and running to organize a Hawaiian Chrono des Nations?

 

[Cookster15]

May I ask why we, on this sacred cycling forum, are getting exposed to the abomination that is triathlon? Or has the Iron Man repented, and have they done away with swimming and running to organize a Hawaiian Chrono des Nations?

Its one thread.? Usual ignorance by those who don't understand triathlon. I am glad a thread has been posted. Some of the power stats are interesting. And maybe you should try to at least appreciate what its like to run 42,2km after averaging 310 watts for 4 1/2 hours. Its an interesting "feeling".

 

[Lequack]

I agree, I just can't fathom how these athletes are able to do it. Some people train months or even years just to run a full length marathon.

PS: They missed out on calling the women's event Ironwoman. But I guess it's all to do with the trademark and brands etc.

 

[Lequack]

The women are 140km into the ride. But like the men's race, this one is also marred with questionable several minute penalties for drafting and littering? The current 2nd place contender will have to stop at the next tent.