Two nice news updates from Challenge Roth: not only did they announce the first few pros that will be racing this year, the organization also announced that the famous Solarer Hill will once again be part of their course. Last year the popular climb – that always attracts thousands of supporters – was left out due to road works, but in 2022 athletes will get to enjoy this spectacular part of the race again.
With both Anne Haug and Patrick Lange racing, both of last year’s winners will return to conquer this magical event. As the race was then 10K too short on the bike, both will look forward to try and set an actual record in this year’s event. Lange noted a time of 7:19:19 hours last year, while Haug stopped the clock at 7:53:48 hours.
Lange, who’s currently recovering from a bike crash and therefor won’t race the Ironman world championship in St. George, will have some fierce competition: Sam Long (USA) and Sebastian Kienle (GER) are likely to be his two biggest rivals. But also Ironman South Africa winner Maurice Clavel (GER) announced to be racing Challenge Roth in 2022. Germany’s Jan Stratmann will debut in Roth this year. Another man who has a good chance to win is last year’s Ironman Lanzarote winner, Andi Bocherer.
In the women’s’ race, Haug will battle with two Britts: Fenella Langridge and Laura Siddall. That means the entire 2021 podium of the women’s race will be present, because then it was Siddall who took second, and Langridge who finished in third.
