Ironman World Championships Preview: Nice 2024
I can’t quite believe in a little over a weeks time it’s the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice. For the second year, we have split locations, this year the women head to Nice. Whilst every year we say, ‘I can’t believe it’s here’ to some extent we are still adjusting to a World Championship in September, but even this year, it’s two weeks later than in 2023, and it still feels like a surprise. Having said that I do feel there’s been more on socials this year from the athletes, already over in Europe. That could be for a few reasons. The women, learning from seeing the men race the course last year, and wanting to get out into European terrain earlier. It could also be my social media feeds and algorithms that do trend towards the women. 
The race starts right off the Nice Promenade d’Anglais, in the Mediterranean. A beach that is normally adorned with holiday makers sunbaking will be taken over by 2000 women charging into the sea. The swim is a “W” shape, with two out and back legs. Whilst last year was a beach start, it is expected that this year the women will start a few meters into the water. The 180km bike course is very different to the lava fields of Hawaii. It has a total elevation gain of 7963ft (2427m). An initial 13km climb precedes the Col d’Ecre, a 19km ascent taking the athletes up to 1100m. They will then roll across the top before the last 60km is predominantly downhill to T2, with some more technical descents. Although it does have a short 8km climb in that net down section. The run course, is a completely flat four laps along the Promenade d’Anglaise. So think potentially hot, windy and very little shade.
Check out Parcours athlete Ruth Astle’s bike course tips INSERT
Whilst the best will always rise to the top regardless of course and conditions, Nice (much like St. George in 2022) does open the door and opportunity for other athletes to get in the mix and shoot for the podium. It is of course a shame we won’t see Daniela Ryf compete in her last year racing, having announced earlier retirement than planned due to injury. We will also miss last years 4th place finisher, Taylor Knibb. Both these athletes I feel would have impacted the race in some way. However, there are still plenty of women able to make a mark, and quite tricky to pick a podium or winner, not having really seen the women race on such a course like Nice before.
Anne Haug (GER) has had some incredible results, particularly at Challenge Roth in July. I feel Haug is similar to Patrick Lange with her run being the strength but if she’s in touch from the swim, and can tuck in and hang with the big bikers, she’ll be dangerous on the run.
Kat Matthews (GBR) hasn’t had the Kona World Championships yet, but did race well when the World Championships were in St. George, coming 2nd. She’s raced a lot, juggling the T100 series and IRONMAN Pro Series, but has managed it pretty successfully so far and has always been open that her priority is to win in Nice. She’s a tough never give up racer if she’s on course, and I think will feature on the podium at least.
Laura Philipp (GER), finished third in Kona 2023, and I feel has so much potential, but hasn’t quite managed that top step in the big races. I feel this course suits Philipp, if she can limit the losses in the swim, and be with Haug or in front, and other strong cyclists. Philipp has only raced one other full this year – Challenge Roth and had a fantastic race finishing with a 2:44 marathon. Her performance probably went unnoticed due to Haug’s dominant race.
Philipp loves the mountains, and so I think is likely to be a real contender.
I haven’t even mentioned the defending World Champion, Lucy Charles-Barclay and 2022 World Champion Chelsea Sodaro. Charles-Barclay announced at the PTO T100 launch in London at the start of the year, that she wouldn’t be in Nice, and would be focusing on the T100. However half way through the year, that changed and she announced her 180deg turn and her intention to race. Charles-Barclay will likely be out in front on the swim and solo. Whilst she is one of the fastest cyclists, I don’t think she will have the same advantage on the bike in Nice, as she does in Kona, and I feel could perhaps get caught during the bike. She suffered a slight injury at the T100 London, but she always seems to bounce back even stronger and faster, as finally getting the 2nd place monkey off her back last year in Kona, it’s likely she could defend.
Other athletes I’m excited to watch. Jackie Hering returning to the full distance in 2024 and kicking it off with a win at IRONMAN Hamburg and second at IRONMAN Lake Placid. Hering last raced in the IRONMAN World Championships thirteen years ago in 2011!
India Lee took centre stage winning at the T100 in Miami at the start of the year. Qualifying for Nice at IRONMAN Florida in 2023, she’s probably gone under the radar for the full distance this year. She’s a strong swim/biker with a solid run, but relatively untested over this distance, so an exciting unknown. Also, I think, Ruth Astle, Hannah Berry and Penny Slater could feature. They were on the fringe in 2023, and could be in the mix again. There are so many women I want to mention, friends I’m willing to have good days, and many who I think on their day could be in the mix. A dark horse could be Regan Hollioake (Aus). Hollioake a new pro, finished 4th at IRONMAN New Zealand and then went on to win IRONMAN Australia. She’s a solid across the board, and I think will largely be under the radar for the other pros, but likely as she did in NZ, just tap away to the line.
A course like Nice, then throws up huge opportunities for the other athletes, who perhaps don’t perform as well in Kona, but are more suited to a course like Nice. It’s exciting, we don’t really know what’s going to happen as the usual myths and legends from Kona, don’t exist here. The World Championships, however does do funny things to people. The build up and focus for the whole year, they put so much pressure on this one race to perform. Athletes go for boom or bust, prepared to take the risks for the win, but knowing if it back fires it could be out of the top ten or even a DNF. Add in the IRONMAN Pro Series too, with 6000 points at the World Champs. Will people be more inclined to play it safe, banking good points, or still risk it for the biscuit going for the win.
Whilst I’m not there in person and not on the start line myself this year, I can’t wait to watch these incredible women battle it out for the IRONMAN World Championship. Who do you think will take the title?
