Van Lierde Enters Ironman Lanzarote 2006

Thursday, 26th January 2006

Luc Van Lierde gave Ironman Lanzarote organizers a wonderful Christmas present he'll be competing at this year's race in May.

Van Lierde, 36, from Brugge, Belgium, set the course record at the Ford Ironman World Championship when he won his first Ironman title in 1996. On December 20th, exactly five months before the XV Ironman Lanzarote, Van Lierde officially registered for the event. Even though he has planned to attend the event at various times in the past, Van Lierde has never raced in Lanzarote.  

"It will be perfect as part of my training and preparation for the Hawaii Ironman in October," he said. After a disappointing performance in Kona last October, Van Lierde hopes to regain some confidence with a solid performance at the course considered the toughest in the Ironman series.

One of Van Lierde's sponsors, the Belgian health insurance company, Partena, has offered him a full time job when he decides to retire. He has accepted the position, but before he starts, he intends to compete in a series of races, including Ironman Lanzarote.

 By IM Lanzarote for Ironmanlive.com on Thursday, 19 January 2006.