Fan favourite and PTO World #20 Lionel Sanders has suffered a setback just weeks after winning IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, which saw him top the new IRONMAN Pro Series rankings after round one.

Set to compete at IRONMAN 70.3 St George next weekend, the 36-year-old shared on his social media channels that a stress fracture had forced him to withdraw from the event.

After a big winter block of training leading into Oceanside, Sanders had planned on racing at IRONMAN Lake Placid to secure his Kona slot, but now faces another mountain to climb.

“The ultimate goal remains the same”

Sharing the news on Instagram, Sanders revealed that the injury had taken some time to figure out, but that he was now focused on recovery.

“Sorry we’ve been a little quiet on social media lately, but I picked up an injury after Oceanside and it took a while to diagnose the issue.

“Unfortunately, I have a stress fracture in my rib and will be out for a little while. The ultimate goal remains the same, and that is to be on the Big Island in October.” 

Twice a runner-up at the IRONMAN World Championship, the Windsor native has made his intentions clear, and is set on winning the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona this October.