This year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship has everything: stacked fields, an insane bike course, and an anything-can-happen vibe thanks to event’s proximity to the IRONMAN World Championships. The men raced 8 weeks ago, the women just 4. What will that mean on race day?
We’ll be on the edge of our seats.
How to Watch
The women’s race is Saturday, November 8, starting at 7:50 a.m. CET/1:50 a.m. EST.
The men’s race is Sunday, November 9, starting at 7:50 a.m. CET/1:50 a.m. EST.
In the U.S., you can watch for free on OutsideTV.
In another country? Check out the full list of streaming options here.
6 Reasons to Tune In
1. Lucy Charles-Barclay and Taylor Knibb are BACK
Just four weeks after giving everything they had to the Kona course in the most thrilling, heartbreaking IMWC we’ve ever seen, these phenomenal athletes are ready to test themselves again.
Both are already 70.3 World Champions. They know what it takes to win—and their love of racing is pure joy to watch.
Allow us to take a minute to stand in awe of these IM stats:
Lucy Charles Barclay: 2021 IM 70.3 World Champ, 2023 IM World Champ
Taylor Knibb: 2022, 2023, 2024 70.3 World Champ
2. Magnus Ditlev is Fired Up
The Danish uberbiker finished 2nd and 3rd in the last two IRONMAN World Championships. He was ready to stand on top of the podium this year, but a virus did not share his plans. He had to stop after powering through a blistering bike split on the Nice course.
Marbella’s a race for superbikers, and Magnus is itching to go. Watching him in his element will be *chef’s kiss*.
3. The Swim Will be Wetsuit Legal—and Crazy Exciting
It’ll be in the Mediterranean and likely under 66 degrees. With all the above athletes and more suited up in the ROKA Maverick X.3, expect some fast times--even if the sea is angry race morning.
On a wavy shakeout swim, Frenchman Mathis Margirier declared it would be war on the bike if race-day water conditions were similarly choppy. There won't be any strategy, he said in French on an Insta reel. Just an all-out battle.
The swim course features four sharp turns. Will leaders use them to break up the pack?
4. The Bike Course is Drop Dead Gorgeous—and Relentlessly Hilly
Expect wild tactics, and daring descents. With nearly 6,000 feet of climbing in 56 miles, this course favors the superbikers. They’ll be racing like Tour de France riders to open gaps through the climbs and downhills, and build a time cushion as they head into the flat, coastal run.
5. The Championship Gap Could Shake Things Up
Some might wonder if four weeks is long enough for the women to recover from this year’s brutal Kona race. Last year, the women had 12 weeks in between World Championship events, and the men had seven.
But in 2022, Norwegian superstar Kristian Blummenfelt won 70.3 worlds just three weeks after placing third in Kona.
Anything is possible.
6. The Norwegian Element of Excitement & Excellence
Both reigning Ironman World Champs, Solveig Løvseth and Casper Stornes, are on the start list, along with the rest of the 2025 men’s Nice podium: Gustav Iden, and Kristian Blummenfelt.
Surely, Kristian’s shared the secret to his 2022 win with his compatriots. Will the men work together to shake up the field?
We'll be watching and cheering for all the athletes brave enough to toe the line!
