IRONMAN World Championship St George expert picks: Pro Men

Gustav Iden and Alistair Brownlee have withdrawn from the IRONMAN World Championship in St George. TRI247's expert panel gives their picks for the Pro Men and Pro Women.

The first IM World Championship outside of Hawaii takes place on Saturday. Jan Frodeno and Anne Haug won the 2019 event. The experts give their predictions on the Pro Race.

Helle Frederiksen is a 2012 Olympic champion and a former world champion in middle and long-course racing. Craig Alexander is three-time IRONMAN and twice IRONSURCE 70.3 World Champion. Belinda Granger has 15 iron-distance wins and five times finished in the top 10 in Kona.

Helle Frederiksen is a Danish middle and long-course cyclist. She is an Olympic champion from London 2012. Helle has 37 podium finishes from 41 races post-London 2012, including 37 wins.

Craig Alexander is a three-time IRONMAN and twice IRONSMAN 70.3 World Champion.

Belinda Granger has won 15 iron-distance races and is a top-10 finisher in Kona. Belinda is heavily involved in the sport as a pro-liaison for Challenge Family and a regular voice in live broadcasts for the Challenge, CLASH and the PTO.

Helle Frederiksen explains the selection of the athletes for the Ironman World Championship St George. The fastest swimmers are Alistair Brownlee, Kristian Blummenfelt, Daniel Bækkegård, Wurf, Sanders, Long, Kienle, Høgenhaug, etc.

IRONMAN World Championship St George expert picks: Pro Men. The questions will be how hard will the fastest swimmers drive the bike pace to stay ahead and how early can the chasers get to the front.

Gustav Iden is aiming for the double at the IRONMAN World Championship St George. Kristian Blummenfelt has won the World Triathlon and Olympic Games.

Gustav Iden is Craig's favourite long course athlete.

Gustav is favourite to win the Ironman World Championship St George. Helle is also backing Gustav. It is only Gustav's second full distance IRONMAN. It's only his second IRONSMAN, so he has no experience in this distance.

Iden-Blummenfelt duo will be the defending champions at the Ironman World Championship St George. Kristian Blumman will have to settle for silver.

Kristian and Gustav will use each other to their advantage. Kristian will finish second. Kristians' strength is his ability to suffer. Gustav won his debut IRONMAN in Cozumel. Helle picks the pro men. She also picks Ironman World Championship St George.

Craig Alexander picks the Ironman World Championship St George Pro Men's race as his favourite. He likes the depth of the field and the quality of competitors. Craig Alexander also likes that the race goes deep into the marathon. The winner will be decided on the final two places.

Sam Long won a silver medal at the 70.3 World Championship last year. Belinda is looking forward to a repeat performance here. Sam had a car accident recently, but he will be fine. He loves racing and he thrives on attention.

Sebastian Kienle is in his final season of World Championship racing. Belinda would love to see him on the podium. Craig has noted his potential. He has a rocky road to this start line, but Belinda hopes he will make it count.

Helle picks Alistair Brownlee to finish ahead of Sam Long in the Ironman World Championship St George Pro Men. He believes Alistsair will be in prime form after his recent Sub-7 attempt and IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside. Helle reckons Ali will finish third.