 Jan Frodeno(Photo: Felix Rüdiger; click to enlarge) |
Jan Frodeno has achieved almost everything in his unprecedented triathlon career. He won gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, is the current Ironman Hawaii champion, "Sportsman of the Year" and Bambi award-winner.
There are many more outstanding successes in the 34-year-old’s career but two milestones are still missing – victory at the world’s largest long distance triathlon and the world record. On 17 July 2016 he will attempt to achieve both goals when he lines up at DATEV Challenge Roth.
"The event in Roth is a European triathlon legend, racing at Challenge Roth is a highlight in every athlete’s career. I’m so excited that I can finally take my place on the Roth start line,” said the current world number one. Another important reason behind Frodeno’s decision to race Roth is the event’s unique atmosphere. "All athletes who compete at Roth are blown away by the unique atmosphere in the triathlon-mad region of Roth and the perfect race organisation. I want to experience that for myself and I am already hugely looking forward to enjoying the famous ‘Challenge spirit’.”
With his debut in Roth the German world-class athlete, who grew up in South Africa, wants to achieve another big goal: he wants the world record. The current world record was set by Andreas Raelert in 2011 at Challenge Roth in 7:41:33. Frodeno said, "It’s well known that the course in Roth is very fast. I'll do everything to ensure my dream of the world record becomes a reality.”
Frodeno’s commitment to DATEV Challenge Roth was welcomed by organiser, Felix Walchshöfer.
“We had already told our fans that our 15th anniversary would be full of surprises. The greatest of these is that Frodo starts with us,” he said. “I am absolutely thrilled. For us it is a huge joy and also an honour to have the world’s best triathletes race with us. The eyes of the triathlon world will be on DATEV Challenge Roth in 2016 and perhaps we will see triathlon history written once again.”
The professional field at the 15th Challenge Roth will include a number of other high-profile athletes in both the men’s and women’s field. Full details will be announced in mid-April.
