Protecting IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay was among the hot favourites for success once again in the 2024 masterpiece in Nice on the Cote d'Azur on Sunday (September 22). Unfortunately, the dream is over for the British super star.
A season that has actually been invested thoroughly handling an Achilles injury she got while running her method to success at Kona in 2023 has actually taken another turn with pain she experienced in her leg today now detected as a grade 1c muscle pressure.
The statement of LCB's lack from the Nice start line began Saturday, less than 24hrs before the weapon is because of go on the 2024 ladies's IRONMAN World Championship (you can view the race live here).
Broken heart
Making the statement on her Instagram page, she exposed: “It's with an aching heart that I share I will not have the ability to race in the Ironman World Championships this Sunday.”
“I felt some discomfort in my leg the other day early morning. After speaking with my medical group and some scans we've verified that the pain in my leg is because of a grade 1c muscle pressure.”
It's not the very first time that injury has actually resulted in frustration for Charles-Barclay this season, after continuous problems from that Kona 2023 injury saw her DNF at her home race in July– London T100. Talking To Bob Babbitt previously today, she explained the injury as “a little a jigsaw puzzle and if I get it incorrect it's truly dissatisfied, if I get it best then it's terrific.”
Planning ahead
While the muscle pressure is presently referred to as a ‘reasonably small concern', Charles-Barclay highlights that racing on it might turn it into a far larger issue, describing: “… after what I went through in 2015, I do not wish to run the risk of dealing with months of rehab once again.”
That success in Kona in 2015 came at a rate for Charles-Barclay as she went through an injury to take the crown. [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]
How LCB's DNS might affect the race characteristics
With Lucy missing from the start line, that indicates whatever occurs out on the race course on Sunday we will be crowning a brand-new IRONMAN World Champion.
Germany's Anne Haug, who won in Kona in 2019, will now be many individuals's leading choice to take the crown. She'll have stiff competitors from the likes of Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews to compete with. Our John Levison has actually tipped Matthews as his choice for the win– so do not rule out a British champ rather.
And without Lucy to tear the field apart on the swim, we might see Philipp, Matthews and Haug secured a fight out on the bike course far faster into the race than we may have expected. LCB's lack might definitely shock the race characteristics, leaving the door open for a few of the uber bicyclists in the field such as Els Visser to be right up there in contention.
