Preview Ironman European Championship Frankfurt: last battle for Kona Slots

A huge international line up of some of the best professional male triathletes are expected at the Ironman European Championship Frankfurt triathlon, when the IM Pro Series returns to Europe on Sunday, 18 August. The race will offer professionals the final six qualifying slots for professional men to the Ironman World Championship triathlon on Kona. The race will also mark the final full-distance IM triathlon of the Pro Series before the Ironman World Championship races in Nice, France (women), and Kona, Hawaii (men).
 
With a field that includes four of the top 10 professional men in the current Ironman Pro Series standings, and two IM World Champions, the event is not to be missed.

Viewers will be guaranteed to see a new men’s IM European Champion crowned, with the absence of defending two-time Ironman European Champion, Denis Chevrot (FRA). Back to IM racing after a hiatus to focus on the Olympics will be Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR). As the 2021 Ironman World Champion, Blummenfelt hopes to validate his start at this year’s IM World Championship race on Kona and the 2024 IM 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Taupō. Joining him will be the current IM Pro Series leader, Matt Hanson (USA). Hanson has already raced five Ironman Pro Series races and will be looking to boost his points by replacing his previously lowest scoring performance from earlier in the year.
 
A strong cohort of other USA athletes who also sit in the top 10 of the IM Pro Series are expected to travel to Germany, including Colin Szuch (currently 3rd) and Trevor Foley (currently 8th) who comes fresh off his impressive victory at Ironman Lake Placid triathlon just over two weeks ago.
 
Jackson Laundry (CAN), currently second in the Ironman Pro Series standings, is also expected to race. Laundry has had five top 10 finishes in IM Pro Series races so far, with his best position being second place at Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon.
 
Patrick Lange (DEU) who sits in 14th place in the IM Pro Series standings will hope for a strong performance on home soil to boost his Ironman Pro Series points. Fellow German Paul Schuster will also be hoping the home advantage will help him improve on his 11th place standing in the series.
 
Other challengers include 2022 Ironman European Champion runner up, Robert Wilkowiecki (POL), Clement Mignon (FRA), Braden Currie (NZL), Cameron Wurf (AUS), Kristian Høgenhaug (DNK), Bradley Weiss (ZAF) among others.
 
In addition to the professional men, Frankfurt will play host to the IM European Championship for both female and male age-group triathletes. Athletes will kick off their 140.6-mile journey with a 3.8 km swim in one of the largest lakes in the region, the Langener Waldsee, where they will do two laps separated by an Australian exit. They will then embark on the 180km bike course, which provides athletes with a scenic tour of the villages surrounding Frankfurt with over 1600 meters of elevation. As they make their way through the city center, cyclists will be treated to views of “Mainhattan” with its impressive city skyline. 
 
On the four-lap run course, athletes will run along the banks of the river Main, with the backdrop of the Frankfurt skyline, and streets lined with spectators. The breathtaking finish line is in Frankfurt’s most historic square, the Römerberg which is characterized by medieval buildings and quaint shops and cafes.  
Below is the pro start lists (subject to change):