Sam Laidlow (FRA) and Cathia Schär (CHE) took the tape at the third edition of IRONMAN® 70.3® Valencia triathlon in course record times of 3:33:56 4:03:39 respectively. Sophie Evans (GBR) and Lena Meissner (DEU) came in second and third on the women’s podium, and Lasse Nygaard Priester (DEU) and Fabian Kraft (DEU) completed the podium for the men.
Laidlow came out the water in a huge chase pack, just 13 seconds behind swim lead, Sven Thalmann (CHE). The 2023 IRONMAN World Champion lost no time in showing off his pedigree bike form, quickly asserting his lead and finishing the 90km (56-mile) course in an eye-watering 1:55:54. He went on to run a 1:10:17 half marathon, with Nygaard Priester hot on his heels as he clocked the fastest run of the day (1:07:02), finishing just a minute back from the World Champion.
In the women’s professional race, Cathia Schär was in the mix all day, coming sixth out of the water, and clocking the third fastest bike split of the day. Within the first kilometre of the run, Schär had overtaken Marjolaine Pierre, who had led the bike into T2. Schär remained consistent as she completed the run course in a time of 1:16:07 and secured her first ever IRONMAN 70.3 victory. Behind her, Pierre dropped further back as Evans and Meissner ran into second and third respectively.
Cathia Schar who was the first female across the finish line said: “It was a really nice race. As it was only my third at this distance and my first of the season, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I felt strong on the bike and was able to catch the lead group quite quickly, although I had to work hard to stay with them towards the end. The first lap of the run felt great and I could push, while the second was more challenging, but overall, I really enjoyed it – especially the amazing support from the crowds on the run course.”
Male winner, Sam Laidlow said on the finish line: “I had a really great day overall and everything went smoothly. Before the race, I felt more confident in my run than on the bike, but by the end I actually felt stronger on the bike. I came off the bike with a bigger lead than I expected, knowing there were some fast runners behind, so I focused on keeping a steady pace. I struggled with some cramping around kilometre 15, but I managed it by easing off slightly and was able to recover and secure the win, which makes me really happy.”
With over 30 female professionals and over 70 male professionals who competed, the race conditions were ideal, the perfect European season kick off. Cathia Schar and Sam Laidlow will be taking home $5,500 each, with a total purse prize for the race of $40,000. Both winners, Lasse Nygaard Priester and Sophie Evans have all locked in their slots for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Nice.
Top Three Female Professional Results
1 Cathia Schar CHE
Swim: 26:19
Bike: 2:15:57
Run: 1:16:07
Total Time: 4:03:39
2 Sophie Evans GBR
Swim: 24:23
Bike: 2:17:23
Run: 1:18:49
Total Time: 4:06:25
3 Lena Meissner DEU
Swim: 24:27
Bike: 2:17:28
Run: 1:19:06
Total Time: 4:06:58
Top Three Male Professional Results
1 Sam Laidlow FRA
Swim: 22:43
Bike: 1:55:54
Run: 1:10:17
Total Time: 3:33:56
2 Lasse Nygaard Priester DEU
Swim: 22:35
Bike: 2:00:16
Run: 1:07:02
Total Time: 3:35:02
3 Fabian Kraft DEU
Swim: 23:00
Bike: 2:01:06
Run: 1:08:15
Total Time: 3:38:02
