The field for the final round of the Nutri-Grain IronMan Series has seen a number of last–minute adjustments with reigning Champion Kendrick Louis and Ben Carberry both remaining ruled out to injury and Tanyn Lyndon also withdrawing from the series. 

Reigning Nutri-Grain IronMan Series Champion Kendrick Louis was ruled out of the opening weekend of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series having sustained a grade-two calf tear in his right calf.  

Unfortunately, the injury has continued to impede Louis’s ability to train and compete and therefore will see him remain on the sideline this coming weekend. 

Louis said it was gut wrenching not being able to defend his title crown but made the right decision for his body to recover. 

“To be honest it’s gut wrenching. The one thing I wanted to do this year was put my foot on the line and defend my title,” Louis said. 

“I felt like I was in good shape to do that, so to not be able to get out there is gut wrenching. But at the end of the day, I’m doing what’s right for me in the long term. 

“The advice was if you want longevity in the sport, you need to sit out this weekend, so that’s the decision that I’ve made.” 

As much as it pained Louis to not be racing and to watch on Channel 9 from, he said that he wasn’t surprised by Day’s stellar streak having raced against him since there were both teens. 

“I definitely watched the first 3 rounds – as much as it pained me to do so,” Louis said. 

“No surprises with Ali, I’ve raced him since we were 15 years old. I know when he puts his foot on the line, he likes to get to the front and that’s exactly what he did.  

“But seeing those younger guys come through and put in some solid performances – the future looks bright.” 

Surfers Paradise IronMan Nathan Gray (currently in 16th place overall for the Series) will remain in the Series as Louis’s replacement. 

Adding to the list of withdrawals for the final rounds of the Series is Kurrawa IronMan Tanyn Lyndon has withdrawn from the remaining rounds of the Nutri-Grain IronMan Series but will be replaced by North Bondi IronMan Charlie Verco. 

Verco will step up to the line this weekend to race in his Nutri-Grain IronMan Series debut, with reigning champion Louis hailing the young Ironman and imparting some advice for Verco. 

“I’m really excited for Charlie – he’s a little weapon and he’s from Sydney too, which I love,” Louis said. 

“The only advice I have for someone like that is you’ve got nothing to lose. You’ve shown that you can take it to the big boys, that’s why you’re in the Series, so now is your time to prove that.” 

Verco had a late call up to the series and was selected by an independent panel under the athlete replacement policy as a wild card and most notably won the Bate Bay Coolangatta Gold in October 2020 among other recent podium finishes. 

Currumbin Ironman Ben Carberry will also remain on the sidelines for the 2020/21 Series after he was ruled out of the opening rounds due to an ongoing wrist injury that took place in December 2020.  

Clubmate Jackson Maynard (currently in 11th place overall for the Series) will continue in the Series as replacement for Carberry. 

The remaining three rounds of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series will take place across 26-28 February with round four (26 Feb) LIVE on Channel 9GO! from 12pm-2pm nationally and rounds five and six LIVE on Channel 9 from 12pm-2pm nationally. 

To see the full point score and current leader board for the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman  click here. 

For further information about the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here. 

To see the full list of male and female competitors in the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here.