2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championships: The Men's Contenders

Gustav Iden is defending his 70.3 title in St. George. Kristian Blummenfelt is also a contender. American Sam Long is aiming for the top step. The women's pro race takes place on Friday.   For more information, visit 70th. 3 World Championships hub.

Iden is the reigning 70.3 and Ironman World Champion. He won both races last year and this year. This race is three weeks after he won in Kona. He's never raced so close after an Ironmans before. The race starts on Saturday.

Blummenfelt is the undisputed number-one triathlete in the world. He is first in PTO World Rankings. Iden has beaten him in a few head-to-head races. Blummanfelt won the St. George Ironman World Championship in May. He wants to win the Ironmans in St George and on the half-distance.

Sam Long finished second at last year's 70.3 World Championships in St. George. He lost two minutes to Blummenfelt and one minute to Iden in the swim. Long's main challenge is the swimming. He had a great bike ride last time, but he had to spend most of his bike leg to recover from the bike.

Magnus Ditlev is a Danish cyclist and runner. He is preparing for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Dallas. Dittell finished eighth in Kona three weeks after the previous event. He has shown that he can run as well. Last year in St. George he was second off the bike, but two minutes ahead of the chase pack.

Frederic Funk is 25 years old and looking for his first big title. Last year he had a problem with his seat post and had to stand up for the rest of the bike. This year, he could push the pace in the second half of St. George's bike race. He is training with Dan Lorang.

Aaron Royle is going to be the fastest swimmer on race day. He will want to push the pace on the bike to keep the chasers away. If he rides well, he could still be in a good position in T2.

Rudy von Berg finished 20th at the 2019 70.3 World Championships in Nice. He will be looking for a better season finish in St. George.

28-year-old Taagholt finished fourth in last year's 70.3 Worlds in St. George. He crashed while training for the PTO U.S. Open and didn't recover in time to race in Dallas. Taagsolt is back at 100% and is ready to repeat or improve on his great 2021 race.

Ben Kanute hasn't had the results he's been looking for in the 2022 season. He was outside the top 20 in PTO Open races in Edmonton and Dallas.

2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championships: The Men's Contenders. Mika Noodt finished in eleventh place to become the top male finisher in St. George 2021.

Jackson Laundry finished fifth at 70.3 Worlds last year. He won at the 70,3 California in April. Outside+ members can watch the live coverage of the Ironman 70.,3 World Championships in St. George on October 28 and 29.

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