German star Rico Bogen will step up to the full-distance stage for the first time in his career when he lines up at Challenge Roth on July 5.
The 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run will mark Bogen’s debut over the classic long-distance format in competition. And he is not traveling to Bavaria to simply gain experience.
“With an audience like this, I didn’t come here to finish in the middle of the pack,” Bogen said, making his ambitions clear.
The men’s race is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years. Several world-class names have publicly declared their intent to fight for victory, including Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt.
Bogen is no stranger to major wins. The German claimed the title at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 2023 and also triumphed at T100 San Francisco. However, he has never raced over the full 226-kilometer distance.
“I’m really looking forward to competing in my first long distance race at Challenge Roth,” he said. “The decisive factors in my decision were the extraordinary atmosphere and the enormous enthusiasm of the spectators. I love performing in front of an audience, and I am convinced this unique atmosphere will give me an extra boost, especially in my first long-distance race.”
