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IRONMAN Sees Acrimonious End to TriDot Partnership
Is the carb boom a bust? And terrible cycling purchases!
Matthew Sharpe
August 08, 2025
Good morning everyone,
We’re at an interesting part of the season. For some, championship races are on the horizon. For others, their season is just starting.
And we want to know what you are up to! Do you have a big race coming up? Or are you enjoying a break from training and racing?
We always want to know what you are up to, so reply to this email and let us know!
In today’s edition:
😡 IRONMAN sees acrimonious end to high-profile partnership.
🧁 Is a carb boom actually a bust?
🤦 And the worst cycling purchases you can make!
-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor
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HEADLINES
IRONMAN Sees Acrimonious End to TriDot Partnership
What is it: Late last week, TriDot - an AI-powered training platform - abruptly ended its relationship with IRONMAN, citing “unresolved business matters.”
When the partnership was first established in late 2023, TriDot became the “official training platform of IRONMAN” and delivered the content and infrastructure for the IRONMAN U coaching certification program.
TriDot also announced that it would be taking full control of the IRONMAN U coaching materials and rebranding them under their newly developed Endurance Sports Coaching Institute.
IRONMAN, in its response, says the breakup “came as a surprise.” They also mentioned they would be creating a new in-house IRONMAN U coaching certification.
Tempo’s take: Shutting down a partnership mid-season is an interesting choice. Clearly, TriDot wasn’t seeing a meaningful ROI from IRONMAN, and decided to cut bait and run.
But without the IRONMAN association, does TriDot have any brand affinity with the triathlon/endurance population? If you ask most coaches, it’s a resounding, “hell no!” They are more than happy to dance on the grave of this partnership. To them, TriDot was less of a partner and more of a parasite as it attempted to siphon athletes onto its AI coaching products.
For IRONMAN, this abrupt ending isn’t really a huge problem for its coaching endeavors. They have the brand and scale to attract meaningful adoption (and revenue). The big issue is the signal to the market.
IRONMAN’s title sponsorship with Vinfast ends this year, and no doubt they are in the thick of the search for a new multimillion-dollar deal. Is TriDot’s abrupt ending enough to derail negotiations? At the very least, it’ll force them to answer a few awkward questions!
Want a deeper dive into the messy IRONMAN/TriDot breakup? Be sure to check out the latest episode of Tempo Talks!
T100, World Triathlon, Cancel Joint Valencia Race
What is it: In a release yesterday, T100 and World Triathlon announced that “due to a series of circumstances that have created various uncertainties,” the World Cup in Valencia would be cancelled.
The T100 race - which was to be held on the same weekend - will be relocated to a yet-to-be-determined location in Spain
For the T100, this is the second race to be modified this season after it was announced that the Lake Las Vegas race would be cancelled, and the pro race moved to Wollongong, Australia.
Tempo’s take: It’s easy to glance at the headline and think, another T100 blunder. But having World Triathlon also involved takes some heat off the upstart series. World Triathlon rarely has these kinds of issues and is generally regarded as an entity that consistently executes its events.
According to a post by ProTriNews, the cancellation is due to unexpected construction in the Port of Valencia. This is the same community that suffered devastating floods last winter, and the unexpected construction could be related.
2028 World Triathlon Championships Awarded to Tauranga, New Zealand
What is it: The 2028 World Triathlon Championships have been awarded to Tauranga, New Zealand. It is a part of a three-year deal that will see the region host a World Triathlon Cup in 2026, and a World Triathlon Championship Series event in 2027.
Alongside the 2028 World Triathlon Grand Final, the Championships will also feature the Age Group and Paratriathlon World Championships.
Hayden Wilde, the 2x Olympic medalist - who is from the region - is looking forward to the Championships and expects them to be his “last short-course race before I look to go full distance in the Ironman.”
There is also speculation that Tauranga will host a stop on the T100 Triathlon World Tour alongside the World Triathlon events - similar to the upcoming joint T100/WTCS race weekend on the French Riviera.
FAVORITES
🤦 Worst cycling purchases: Ever been stranded mid-ride in freezing rain, cursing your tire choice? Some of us haven’t…And some of us purchased Continental Gatorskins. Regrettable cycling purchases happen, and this video breaks down the worst offenders so you don’t have to learn the hard way! [CADE Media]
🧁 Carb boom or bust? We’re in a high-carb fueling boom. But can your body actually handle more than 100gr of carbs/hour? This video digs into the science of carb usage. And answers burning questions around body mass and carb needs, and if you can truly improve your total carb intake! [GTN]
🎪 Insane event planning: What does it take to organize a large-scale triathlon from scratch? This article digs deep into the crucial details required to put on this weekend’s USA Triathlon National Championships in Milwaukee. And after reading it, you won’t look at event organization the same! [USA Triathlon]
🥕 Creatine machine: Creatine supplementation hasn’t traditionally been associated with endurance sport. But a recent study has suggested numerous potential benefits, such as the ability to be successful in “race-defining” moments like a surge in pace or climbing a steep hill. But there are drawbacks. [Outside]
REEL TIME
The “mid-air goggle adjust” deserved more points!
TEMPO TALKS PODCAST
Why A Newly Discovered Benefit of Heat Training Can Boost Your Performance!
And what caused the ugly IRONMAN/TriDot breakup?
All this and more in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks Podcast!
Together with The TriDoc, we bring you the biggest stories in Triathlon,
Training tips to make you faster,
And breakdowns of the latest in sports science and performance!
QUICK NEWS
Hauser’s home: After the sting of Olympic disappointment in Paris, Australia’s Matt Hauser is looking to go for gold in LA. His first stop? A home World Championships in Wollongong! [Illawara Mercury]
Race purchase: The 40th edition of the Lake Havasu Triathlon will see fresh organizers as the iconic event has been purchased by an upstart event organizer! [Endurance Biz]
Charity challenge: In a bid to raise money for children affected by conflict, this triathlete will be completing a 100km triathlon for 100 days straight. The last day coincides with the Dubai T100 event! [Dubeye 1038]
Smoked out: Unfortunately, the 49th edition of the Deep River Triathlon has been cancelled due to wildfire smoke in a decision the race organizer called “the toughest in her life.” [Penticton Herald]
Surgery setback: An Olympic triathlon champion says her story isn’t over after undergoing a major mid-season surgery! [TRI247]
WEEKEND RACES
T100 London
Taylor Knibb (USA) and Jelle Geens (BEL) look to be the first athletes with two T100 race wins this season!
IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu
Amelia Rose Watkinson (NZ) and Sam Osbourne (NZ) lead the charge in Lapu Lapu!
IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiero
Pamela Oliviera (BRA) and Luciano Taccone (ARG) are ranked #1 in Rio!
LATEST EDITIONS
Tailwinds or Turbulence? As T100 lands in London
Why you need to train with torque, and best-value running shoes!
T100 sees trillion-dollar tailwind. And a mid-race arrest!
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