The Official, All Encompassing, Lionel Sanders Thread

Triathlon Forum
4303

A positive Lionel, thats a new one. Either he is doing good or it is over, no in the middle with this guy. Hope he just is in a good headspace

2 Likes
4304

The interesting part is that if your talking KQ, Texas even with 6 slots isn’t really going to be “easy” for him, with just how his race unfolds vs the other FOP athletes who also haven’t KQ’d. So by default in stronger fields he sorta has to “go deep” simply because he’s so far back to then get into actual KQ position. So he could thereotically shut it down once that spot is covered, but that’s going to likely be well into the run.

1 Like
4305

Moritz Events Co rankings are made up dude, what’s with your axe?

4306

You heard it here, Jelle will do it. Messias did the 2:26 on his first IM.

1 Like
4307

If Jelle sandbags the bike to an extreme degree like Messias did, then maybe. But the run split doesn’t seem to be his goal here. Also, 20 m.

4308

Hahaha. given your constant attacks on the PTO and your stupid made up name for the organisation you are one to talk about having an axe to grind.

The PTO rankings are actually quite accurate for their purpose. The 2022 St George Worlds has a very low rrating and with the situation surrounding that race it isnt surprising.

The non-swim IMC that Lionel won a couple of years ago has such a low rating it is a “C” race

4309

Lol no. Sam Long is the equivalent (if not slightly better thanks to swim) to LS, and you saw what happened.

4310

Hey, you can have irrational hate for Lionel and I can think that PTO is stupid.

1 Like
4311

very little in between them in the swim and in 25 and 24 sanders actually better in the 3 head to head races

2 Likes
4312

No chance Lionel is falling apart a couple km from the finish line in a 70.3. you kidding me? When he’s at or near the front of the race the man can bleed from every pore for 60 minutes. Jonas would have been in an immediate battle on the run.

Now stretch that out to a full Ironman, and I agree, traditionally that means he’s going to walk. But let’s see the receipts of races where Lionel smelled blood and victory and faded off the podium in a 70.3.

4 Likes
4313

hilarious exchange on the latest pod of TTH with Kristian

Jack: “Do you think that Lionel Sanders can be competitive at the IMWC this year?

Kristian: “Short Answer, no”

Jack: “Long answer?”

Kristian: “Noooooooo”

22 Likes
4314

Useless data in analyzing ability for oceanside ‘26. He didn’t even crack 1:10 at his recent near swimless race

4315

?

4316

sam long is similar to lionel sanders in ability. he raced KB in oceanside. Sanders would have finished 4th or 5th if he raced. They dont have the run legs to hang with the norwegians

1 Like
4317

That was a super honest, and yeah, super brutal take on Lionel in that podcast!

I wish I could say he was wrong, but even Lionel sees the writing on the wall. Blu said it in the sentences right after the Nooooooo, LS is getting to the upper limits of age for a truly competitive world-class triathlete. Might have passed it already when we’re talking true world-class races like Kona. Yeah, LS’s got a swim deficit, yeah, he’s underperformed at full IM compared to half IM, but the age factor can’t be ignored anymore, when you’re racing super hungry 20-25 yr olds with no family/kid obligations. That’s just reality.

1 Like
4318

“but the age factor can’t be ignored anymore, when you’re racing super hungry 20-25 yr olds with no family/kid obligations. That’s just reality.”

People seem to forget that Jelly Beans is 33 with a wife and kid.

4319

Who grew up racing short course with a coach in a team environment. Hardly the same upbringing as Lionel. Jelle is also unproven at the 140.6 distance, we’ll see what he can do in TX.

1 Like
4320

Where was I responding to upbringing? Show me..

I was specifically responding to a comment about age and family situation.

Try reading posts thouroughly please..

4321

Yeah, and that’s going to be a serious issue sooner rather than later in the current ever-increasingly competitive at younger ages stacked pro fields.

And this is despite being SUPER impressive that there are strong pros who competed well into their early 40s, on the world stage. It’s hard for us AGers to use age as an excuse, if at 50 when these 40-somethings are still running like 15-16 5ks.

4322

Kinda stupid to just compare age and family situation though, no? Plenty of BOP young and single Pro’s out there that get dusted by old man Jelle.

2 Likes