IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence start lists: Krisitian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden set to star in France

Some of the world’s finest triathletes will descend on the South of France on Sunday May 18 for IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence.

The headline names come in the form of the Norwegian Hype Train – 2021 IRONMAN World Champion Kristian Blummenfelt and 2022 IRONMAN World Champion Gustav Iden will draw all eyes on the Pro Series event.

It’s unlikely to be a two-way battle on the men’s side – defending champion Ruben Zepuntke will not give up his crown without a fight, while Frenchman Leon Chevalier will be eager to impress on home soil.

Austria’s Lisa Perterer has showcased exemplary form so far in 2025 and will be in with a chance of victory in the women’s PRO race, as will Spain’s Marta Sanchez. Nikki Bartlett and Lizzie Rayner fly the flag for Great Britain.

Which Pro men are racing?

The eyes are immediately drawn to the two former world champions in the field, Blummenfelt and Iden, who have already demonstrated early season form in one way or another.

Blummenfelt looked in supreme shape at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside before a flat tyre ended his hopes of victory, but backed that up with a sublime display at IRONMAN Texas over the full distance.

A dominant marathon of 2:34:03, nearly seven minutes faster than his nearest rival on the day, propelled the 31-year-old to victory. Over the middle-distance, Big Blu has nine career race victories including an IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in 2022.

His compatriot Iden is at a different point in his triathlon journey as he continues to battle back to fitness following injury issues over the past few years. The 29-year-old recorded an encouraging third-place finish at Oceanside before finding the distance too much in Texas, slumping to 11th.

Iden was sensational in his early career over the middle-distance, winning seven of his first eight races including victories at the 2019 and 2021 70.3 World Championships. However, his injury-plagued 2023 and 2024 seasons have halted his progress.

Defending champion Zepuntke will wear the M1 bib, but will certainly be up against it with the Norwegian duo in tow. He took the tape in 3:47:23 last year, his lone career victory as a professional. He’ll be joined by runner-up Simon Vlain of France on the start line.

France’s Chevalier is likely the best hope for a home success. The 28-year-old has raced two full distance events so far in 2025 and drops down into middle-distance company for the first time this year. A 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables D’Olonne crown is his lone victory at 70.3 level.

Outside of the big names, there are a plethora of contenders for a top five berth. Norwegian Casper Stornes has been training with Blummenfelt and Iden, 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire winner James Teagle provides British interest and 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia winner Johannes Vogel of Germany took the tape in Spain on April 27.

Which Pro women are racing?

T100 Wildcard Perterer has certainly put her name on people’s lips with her early season form. The Austrian finished second behind Kate Waugh at T100 Singapore before backing that performance up at IRONMAN Texas where she finished third.

The 33-year-old won her maiden IRONMAN 70.3 race in 2024 at Cozumel before finishing second in the full distance race at the same venue later in the year.

29-year-old Sanchez has also shown some form this term finishing second at IRONMAN South Africa. A disappointing 11th in Singapore – almost 13 minutes behind Perterer – showcases some cause for concern, but her career resumé over the middle-distance can not be ignored.

The Spaniard, has two 70.3 victories in addition to four domestic wins over the distance. She ended the 2024 season with a sixth-place finish at the IRONMAN World Championship before wins at IRONMAN Barcelona and IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia punctuated her season.

One to watch could be Britain’s Rayner who recorded a third-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia on April 27 – defeating some big names in the likes of India Lee and Ruth Astle. The 27-year-old claimed the IRONMAN 70.3 Portugal crown last October and also finished on the podium in Swansea in July.

Compatriot Bartlett will also fancy her chances given her performances in 2024. She won at 70.3 Swansea and finished second at 70.3 Les Sables D’Olonne before earning 11th spot at the 70.3 World Championships in December.

Sweden’s Sara Svensk can’t be ruled out either, she has regularly recorded top five finishes across her career and boasts four professional wins.