Tomas Rodriguez's victory over Patrick Lange at Texas is now tainted - he's copped a two-year ban after testing positive for clomiphene. Opinion The Open Secret: Doping's Uncomfortable Truth in Triathlon One in five age-groupers are potentially doping, testing is basically non-existent, and we're all too busy checking our Strava segments to admit we've got a serious problem. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion The Rise of Pro Age Groupers John embodies a new breed of triathlete—amateur in status, pro in dedication—reshaping the sport’s competitive landscape. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Let's aim for better and less of this. Opinion Opinion: RaceRanger Is the Reckoning Non-Drafting Triathlon Has Been Crying Out For RaceRanger's debut for age-group athletes challenges triathlon's status quo, demanding fairer racing, split fields and a return to individual effort in non-drafting competitions. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Opinion The FulGaz Sale: Why Ironman's Virtual Training Experiment Was Destined to Struggle Ironman's failed attempt to transform FulGaz from a cyclist-focused platform to a triathlon training tool shows why understanding your core user base is crucial. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Photo: Marcelo Soares Opinion The Polarising Power of the M-Dot Tattoo Debated as vanity or badge of honour, the iconic Ironman tattoo unites triathletes through shared status, belonging and brand power. By Alastair McCausland • 4 min read
Opinion Opinion: The Lonely Road to Sixth - Sam Long's Season of Success and Struggle Pro triathlete Sam Long secures his best career finish while grappling with the emotional complexities of excellence at the highest level of endurance sport. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion Rediscovering Trust in the Age of Data: A Coach's Perspective on the Kona Ironman Coverage Grant Giles argues that athletes are losing self-trust amid overwhelming marketing and data obsession, urging a return to self-belief and presence over reliance on technology. By Grant Giles • 4 min read
Opinion A Promise Unfulfilled: The PTO's Inadequate Response to Doping Concerns The PTO's new anti-doping measures lack clarity and fail to adequately address concerns jeopardising the sport's integrity. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion Triathlon at a Crossroads: The Urgent Need for a United Front Against Doping Long-course triathlon must act now to establish a comprehensive anti-doping program or risk irreparable damage to the sport's credibility. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Yo yo yo! Opinion Foot, Meet Mouth: How Sam Long Proved Me Wrong at T100 Singapore I doubted Sam Long. His jaw-dropping 3:42:14 performance in Singapore made me look like a fool. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Laura Philipp not racing at the weekends T100 Singapore race. Opinion The PTO’s Contract Conundrum Amid logistical blunders, the PTO's credibility is tested as key athletes skip the T100 Singapore, highlighting a need for flexible contracts and better planning. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Magnus Ditlev ripping through the PTO US Open in Milwaukee. Photo: PTO Opinion T100 Race Schedule: Is Business Sustainability Giving Ample Recovery Time? Despite concerns, experts argue that the current T100 race schedule provides sufficient recovery time for most athletes, with individual needs varying based on personal factors. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Opinion T100 Triathlon World Tour: Triathlon's Game Changer The T100 stretches prize money and challenges athletes with a strategic eight-month global tour. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion Embracing Ambition at 60: Unveiling the Triumphs of Elite Age Group Triathletes Discover how 60+ elite triathletes redefine age with their insatiable drive for personal growth, resilience, and passion for triathlon. By Phil Stoneman • 2 min read
Steve McKenna taking the win at Ironman Australia. Opinion Embarking on the Professional Triathlete Journey: An In-Depth Look Becoming a pro triathlete demands immense dedication and a strategic approach, as Steve McKenna's inspiring journey demonstrates. By Grant Giles • 2 min read
Opinion The Hidden Price of Ironman Glory: A Wallet's Endurance Test Ironman training costs double your guess—gear, fees, and upkeep turn race prep into a financial marathon. By Karl Hayes • 4 min read
Opinion The High Cost of Low Gains: Rethinking PEDs in an Era of Diminishing Returns Athletic integrity faces a PED crisis; it's time for tech-led, ethics-first reform. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion The Defiant Champion: Doubts Surround Sam Laidlow's Doping Denials Questions emerge about credibility and maturity of world champion triathlete Sam Laidlow's aggressive denials of doping allegations made against him after explosive improvements. By Shawn Smith • 4 min read
Opinion Ironman Throws Down the Gauntlet: Is This The Start Of A Triathlon Showdown? Ironman announces a new Pro Series for 2024, offering an additional $1.7 million bonus, escalating the stakes against the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) series. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Opinion The Myth of Kona Field Dilution Despite concerns over increased women's slots "diluting" competition, a closer look at Ironman World Championship data reveals expanded opportunities elevate all athletes while maintaining an elite field. By Shawn Smith • 2 min read
Opinion Ironman: Time Trial vs Drafting – Let's Get Real As drafting becomes commonplace in Ironman races, the essence of individual endurance is overshadowed by group strategy. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Photo: Andrew Ren / Unsplash Opinion What is in the water? A wave of young talents, leveraging data-driven performance insights, high-performance coaching, and mindfulness techniques, is redefining success parameters in elite sports. By Phil Stoneman • 3 min read
Opinion The Rise and Return of the Pros: How the PTO is Reshaping Triathlon The athlete-owned Professional Triathletes Organisation is empowering pros and reshaping triathlon through innovative events and a stake in the sport's success. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
Opinion Blummenfelt Built to Conquer Chaotic Calendar Despite concerns from critics, Kristian Blummenfelt's rigorous discipline and recovery regimen will enable him to excel through his packed multi-continent racing schedule and peak for the 2024 Paris Olympics. By Shawn Smith • 3 min read
