Lionel Sanders’ 2025 triathlon season has been a rollercoaster, and the latest update brings another setback: the Canadian fan-favorite will not be racing the Ironman World Championship in Nice this September.
After battling through a lingering injury at the start of the season, Sanders stormed back to form with dominant wins at both Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and Ironman 70.3 St. George. But his resurgence was cut short when another injury struck, forcing him back on the sidelines and leaving fans wondering when they would next see him compete.
That answer came this week. In a new video update, Sanders explained that his recovery is still ongoing, and while he has made progress, he’s not yet ready to handle the demands of a full Ironman – particularly the marathon. As a result, he has made the difficult decision to pull out of the World Championship in Nice.
Instead, Sanders will continue focusing on rehabilitation with the aim of returning to competition later this year, likely in November. While the news is disappointing for fans eager to see him back on the biggest stage, his decision reflects a clear priority: protecting his long-term career rather than risking everything for one race.
You can watch his full update below: