DATEV Challenge Roth on 7 July 2024 will once again be a world-class triathlon festival featuring the fastest athletes over the long distance, including Magnus Ditlev and Patrick Lange, who finished first and second last year.
The fastest in the world
7:24:40 hours – that’s all Magnus Ditlev needed for the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run to set a new world best time at DATEV Challenge Roth 2023. Second in the current Professional Triathletes Organisation rankings and defending champion, the Dane is returning to Roth once again. He also showed all his skills at the Ironman World Championship in Nice and finished on the podium. Just a fortnight ago, he won the premiere of the T100 World Tour in Miami.
For Ditlev there are many reasons to compete in Roth again, “I’m happy to announce I will have a go at a three-peat at Challenge Roth this summer! This race holds such a special place in my heart, the amazing atmosphere, the great people of Roth and of course, a fast and challenging course that suits me. I can’t wait to toe the line again against a stacked field and give my best once more. See you there!” After 2022 and 2023, will he manage the hat-trick at his third start and finish at the top of the podium again?
Roth is looking forward to Patrick Lange again
As in previous years, the fastest long-distance professional in the world will meet the fastest German triathlete. As two-time Ironman World Champion and Germany’s Sportsman of the Year 2018, Patrick Lange conjured up a marathon in 2:30h on the asphalt in Roth and Büchenbach at DATEV Challenge Roth 2023. He finished in second place in an impressive 7:30:04. He also took second place at the Ironman World Championship in Nice 2023 and is once again looking forward to the unique atmosphere in Roth: “40 years of triathlon in Roth. Of course I will be there. This race holds a special place in my heart since 2021, and I can’t wait to dive into the incredible atmosphere with dedicated volunteers, a roaring fan crowd, and flawless organization.”
Many potential candidates for victory
Magnus Ditlev and Patrick Lange are not the only potential candidates for victory on 7 July. The other competitors are also extremely strong. The American Rudy von Berg could play a major role in the race. The 30-year-old is a three-time Ironman winner and also caused a stir with fourth place in Nice.
The same applies to Leon Chevalier. The Frenchman finished a strong fifth at his home race in Nice and followed by a win at Ironman Cozumel a short time later.
Triathlon fans in Roth can once again look forward to Daniel Bækkegård’s start. The Dane narrowly missed out on the podium in fourth place on his Roth debut in 2023. With a finish time of 7:39:59h, the 27-year-old showed his exceptional talent at last year’s DATEV Challenge Roth and has since taken wins at Challenge Canberra and Ironman Western Australia.
The second Frenchman in the professional field is Clement Mignon. He became World Triathlon long-distance world champion in May 2023 at the age of 24 and finished in the top ten at the last Ironman World Championships.
Jan Stratmann could provide a German surprise. The 28-year-old showed all his skills over the middle distance in particular and finished third at the 70.3 World Championship last year. So too could Kyle Smith from New Zealand who is racing his first Roth with a win to his name already in 2024 at Challenge Wanaka.
In addition, Belgian Pieter Heemeryck will also be a force to be reckoned with currently ranked in seventh place in the PTO rankings.
In Roth, professional women and men start in the same race as the age groupers
Race director Felix Walchshöfer is expecting a close race on 7 July. “Triathlon fans from all over the world can once again look forward to an exciting and fast race in Roth. Even though there is still some time until July, I am delighted so many world-class professionals have already confirmed their start at DATEV Challenge Roth. It is unique in the world to see so many outstanding athletes in one place, in one race, on one day with the age groupers.”
Fans can also expect a fast women’s race. As TEAMCHALLENGE has already announced, German record holder Laura Philipp is competing in Roth again in a strong international women’s field.
7,500 volunteers, 3,500 participants and 700 relay teams as well as countless supporters along the course will once again ensure a goosebump feeling and the triathlon party of the year at DATEV Challenge Roth on 7 July 2024.
The list of professional athletes already registered can be found at www.challenge-roth.com.
