In this special “underdog” episode from Nice, host Matt Lieto shifts the focus from the perennial favorites to three rising stars and dark horses who are poised to shake up the IRONMAN World Championship: Jamie Riddle, Harry Palmer, and Nick Thompson.

First, South African Jamie Riddle talks about his rapid evolution in long-course racing, having only done his first IRONMAN earlier this year. He shares key lessons from a transformative training camp with Sam Laidlow, emphasizing a newfound focus on smart, controlled training over constant high intensity. Confident in his abilities, Riddle details his plan to use his explosive swim speed to help create an early breakaway before settling in and playing his cards late in the marathon.

Next, the UK’s Harry Palmer, another rookie at the World Championship, discusses how a “bonus race” mentality is keeping him relaxed and focused. After a busy season that saw him buy his first house while racing five times in two months, he reflects on the balance between being a professional athlete and a content creator. Palmer shares his strategy for the challenging course, which involves respecting the distance, staying patient, and executing his own race plan, knowing a top-15 finish would be a massive success.

Finally, Australian Nick Thompson, aka “the silent horse,” opens up about his journey. He talks about the confidence gained from a strong season, including a breakthrough performance at IRONMAN Cairns and a podium at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Zell am See. Thompson shares a powerful and personal source of motivation—the resilience of a close friend who survived a serious cycling accident—that fuels his incredible fight and determination on the race course, reminding him to dig deep when it matters most.