Men’s pro field unveiled for 2023 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France

An elite field of male professional triathletes is descending on Nice, France, for the first ever IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Europe. On Sunday, September 10, the men’s edition of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will see professional and age-group men swim, bike, and run along the French Riviera.

IRONMAN sees its pinnacle race’s migration away from a spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii, as… ‘a defining moment in IRONMAN history.’

Earlier this year, Nice, in France, was confirmed as the location for the 2023 men’s IRONMAN World Championship race – as a co-host destination for the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship.

The announcement builds on a continuation of dedicated race days for men and women at the IRONMAN World Championship and sees the annual event split across two destinations – Nice and Kona – from 2023. This year, Kona will host the women’s race with the venues for the men’s and women’s races rotating annually thereafter.

The men’s race in Nice will bring together over 2,000 of the world’s top professional and age group male triathletes. The elite men will battle for a piece of the US$375,000 professional prize purse and the title of IRONMAN World Champion.

“We are so excited to be joined by some of the world’s top-class athletes in Nice for this historical moment in IRONMAN World Championship history,” said Andrew Messick, President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group.

“Nice is the perfect dual host for the inaugural VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Europe. It will offer a different, yet just as rewarding challenge to what we may be used to in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, but ultimately the best and strongest athlete on the day will be crowned IRONMAN World Champion. I can’t wait to see how this race unfolds.”

In the absence of reigning IRONMAN World Champion, Gustav Iden, a new IRONMAN World Champion will be crowned. Wearing bib number one will be three-time IRONMAN World Champion, two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jan Frodeno (DEU).

Having already announced he would be retiring at the end of the season, this will be Frodeno’s last chance to clinch a fourth IRONMAN World Champion title. Compatriot and rival, Patrick Lange, will be looking for one final showdown for the history books, after the pair dominated the podium between the years of 2015 and 2019.

French athletes looking to make a statement against the Germans in their home country will be Sam Laidlow, Leon Chevalier, Clement Mignon and Denis Chevrot.

Meanwhile, following a year of impressive performances, Magnus Ditlev (DEN) will be a strong contender for the top spot. In addition, athletes in the mix include: Joe Skipper (GBR), Braden Currie (NZL), and Rudy Von Berg (USA).

The race in Nice will be centred around the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s most famous walkway. Beginning with a Mediterranean Sea swim, athletes will enter the water from the Promenade des Anglais and follow a double rectangular out and back course in the water, before embarking on a gruelling bike course.

Technical and challenging, athletes will take in the rooftop villages of Vence, Gourdon and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the ascent, before they cruise down the Route de Thorenc and through the Clues de Gréolières on the descent.

The flat four-lap run course will take runners up and down the Promenade des Anglais, giving them the opportunity to soak up the Mediterranean Sea and infamous Chaises Bleues (blue chairs) on one side, and the luxury hotels and casinos on the other, while gaining encouragement by the crowds gathered at multiple spectator friendly points.

Professional men’s field*

*Subject to change

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