The wait is almost over. This Sunday, the triathlon world turns its absolute focus to Germany for the legendary Challenge Roth. Boasting a field so deeply stacked it rivals any World Championship event, the atmosphere is already reaching a boiling point. From rookies looking to shake up the hierarchy to seasoned world champions aiming to defend their legacy, the pre-race energy is palpable. We caught up with the top contenders to see exactly where their heads are at before they dive into the Main-Donau-Canal.
Here is what the favorites had to say – in their own words.
Kat Matthews: Chasing the Top Step
Matthews isn’t hiding her ambitions. She is arriving in Roth with a clear target on the finish line and a powerful team backing her up.
“I’m here to win Roth!”
“I’m here to win Roth – when my confidence is low, sometimes I don’t say I’m here to win the race. But on the world championship stage, as Roth is, you have to have the confidence to say you are here to win. I’ve only been in the sport a few years – I hadn’t even done a long distance when Lucy Charles Barclay won and this is the first opportunity to say yes please to Roth! The determination to finish the race knowing the minutes I doubted myself and being able to turn it around is the most satisfying. That’s what drive me and it’s about looking back and saying I did my best. The team behind you is pretty fundamental – the emotional support you gain from other people is essential. We are doing this sport together. I get a lot from my team and I’ve started to lean on them more and more and I get more from it being a team success, it’s not just about me.”
Alanis Siffert: Ready to Embrace the Pain
Siffert is fully aware of the brutal nature of the field but is leaning heavily into the legendary Roth crowd to carry her through.
“You have to embrace the difficulty and pain as it’s going to reward you”
“The field is really strong this year. You just have to give it your all from the beginning and I will do my very best to be part of the fight up front. It’s the kind of race where you cannot imagine the atmosphere on course. The spectators give you so much power and when you run out of energy they fuel you to keep going. It’s always an advantage if you know the course as you’re looking even more forward to it but I have to say that every race is different, anything can happen. But I know I’m in top form and I’m looking forward to it – I’ve done my work and now it’s time to celebrate on race day. You have to embrace the difficulty and pain as it’s going to reward you – you have to push through and enjoy it and embrace it and take it positively.”
Caroline Pohle: The Debutant with Inner Fire
Making a long-distance debut at Roth is a monumental task, but Pohle is channeling her nerves into pure racing energy.
“I feel lots of deep inner energy that wants to come out and I want to bring that energy to the course”
“Of course we’re all professionals and I’m very ambitious. I think anybody who competes wants to be on the podium, that’s always the goal. But it’s also important to enjoy the first long distance race, breath in the atmosphere. I can already feel the emotion and I’m extremely nervous but also really looking forward to it. I’m super nervous but in a positive way – I’ve never felt like that before. I feel lots of deep inner energy that wants to come out and I want to bring that energy to the course. I’ve been in a rollercoaster of feelings over the last weeks but I’m just happy and proud to be here to do my first long distance race. I’m going to try to race smart and do the race for myself, I don’t have any pressure or expectations as I don’t know how it feels. I’m a long distance rookie but I’ve been doing this sport for 10 years and I know how my body reacts to certain situations. So many things can happen, it’s such a long day but I have prepared as well as I can. It is THE triathlon race in the world and there’s always a good field – the women here have amazing experience and perhaps if ask nicely they may give me some tips!”
Daisy Davis: Treasuring the Moment
For Davis, stepping onto the course at Roth is the realization of a long-held dream, and she’s ready to fight for a spot near the front.
“I’ve watched Roth so many times and to be part of it will be very special and I’ll really treasure it”
“I’ll be happy if I can get somewhere near the podium – it’s a touch ask but I’m fit and confident and ready to leave it all out there on race day. It’ll be exciting racing. I enjoy the pain and suffering and it’s hugely satisfying when you get a good result. I’m looking forward to experiencing the whole atmosphere – I’ve watched Roth so many times and to be part of it will be very special and I’ll really treasure it”
Daniela Bleymehl: Racing for Family
The 2018 champion returns with the same inner fire, but with an extra dose of motivation waiting for her at the finish line.
“I want to show my kids why I haven’t been home so much recently”
“I still have the same passion and goals – things have changed since I won in 2018. It feels like yesterday and I can feel the fire. I’m so happy to be able to start again. I want to show my kids why I haven’t been home so much recently. Simply be able to do what I love and my children know that but they haven’t seen it in an environment like this and that’s going to be very special to be able to show them. It’s really important to enjoy the race, from the first seconds to the finish line – if you manage to breath the atmosphere in and convert it to your energy, channeling the positive energy. It’s exciting this feeling.”
The Men’s Field: Tactics, World Titles, and Course Record Targets
The men’s race is shaping up to be an absolute tactical chess match played at breakneck speeds, with data going out the window in favor of aggressive, old-school racing.
Kristian Blummenfelt: Ditching the Data
Known for his meticulous reliance on numbers, the Olympic and World Champion acknowledges that Sunday might require a more reactive approach to counter early attackers.
“For once I’m going to have to ignore the numbers to a degree so I can be in the race, especially as I know Rico, Sam and Jonas are going to take the race out hard”
“Racing against guys like this, the data has numbers I think I can hold, but it’s also important to follow the field. For once I’m going to have to ignore the numbers to a degree so I can be in the race, especially as I know Rico, Sam and Jonas are going to take the race out hard. I’m expecting them to open up a big gap for the run.”
Sam Laidlow: Eyeing the History Books
The defending Challenge Roth Champion isn’t just looking for a win; he believes a historic time is mandatory to claim the title this weekend.
“I think it’s going to be essential to get a new course record to win this weekend”
“If you frustrate Kristian he’s only going to peddle harder – so don’t want to frustrate him too much as I really want to beat him. There’s a natural fight in racing. We all like and respect each other but when the gun goes off, I really want to beat these guys and win. I think it’s going to be essential to get a new course record to win this weekend. Things have moved on since Magnus got the record – nutrition, technology and the like – my goal is to go between five and 10 minutes faster – if that’s fast enough to beat these guys, we’ll see. I’ll always try to win – worst case I let Kristian beat me now and I win in Kona, best case I win this weekend.”
Frederic Funk: Ready to Throw Down
After a conservative learning experience last year, Funk is ready to unleash his formidable biking strength and improved run form to actually impact the front of the race.
“Last year I feel like I did a good first long distance and I did my own thing. This year I am here to race”
“Last year I feel like I did a good first long distance and I did my own thing. This year I am here to race. I felt that my bike is one of my strengths but but overall it’s the long distance of the race and I believe I’ll be able to run significantly faster last year based on my training results so I’d like to put myself in a good position after the swim and bike and be able to participate in the race. One thing that I learned last year is that every long distance is different, it’s never as the last one – it’s important to be able to deal with issues over the race as it’s rare that you have a perfect race. It’s important to handle whatever goes wrong during the race and keep a good mindset.”
Patrick Lange: The Master of the Stacked Field
A legend of the sport, Lange welcomes the pressure, utilizing his massive experience and a deep gratitude for the sport to fuel his fire against the new generation of pioneers.
“It’s been proven that I always perform in the most stacked field. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one here with three world championship titles to my name”
“It’s been proven that I always perform in the most stacked field. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one here with three world championship titles to my name – it’s good to dream about it and make it a reality on Sunday. It’s easier if someone’s there pushing you, I’m not worried, it’s going to work out well. The key is being to prepared to question what used to work well and adapt to this event that keeps developing and every year it’s getting better and every year you ask how is this even possible? Every year you have to question everything, the Norwegians are the pioneers in this area and if you’re not prepare to put this level of effort in, you’ll fall behind. Driven is the right word – I’m unbelievably grateful as I’m able to experience this for nearly 30 years. It’s always been my dream to be here. I fell in love with the sport 30 years ago at my first triathlon and when you’re sitting eating pizza and enjoying family time and the children are playing triathlon in the garden you know you have succeeded. This is what I really enjoy and what gets me in the water every morning to train. Getting the children involved is what drives me now”
Rico Bogen: The Fearless Rookie
Bogen is stepping up to the full distance with an incredibly relaxed mindset, though he isn’t shy about envisioning a dream Monday morning headline.
“The headline for Monday’s newspapers – the rookie takes the long distance win!”
“I’m here as a rookie but I have my own strengths and I think I can be part of the field – I don’t have to be part of the podium, I don’t have to win, I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m not too nervous I have respect for the distance and I don’t know what to expect but I’m not putting myself under that much pressure and I’m looking forward to taking in the vibe of the race. I haven’t changed my training too much from middle distance. And the headline for Monday’s newspapers – the rookie takes the long distance win!”
Jonas Schomberg: Pushing the Pacing Envelope
Schomberg is ready to go on the attack once again, armed with tough lessons from Texas and a profound awe for the unique spirit of the German venue.
“I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like this in the world, not even the Olympics”
“Going on the offensive has always worked so why change a winning system. After Texas I learned the hard way and it was pretty brutal, I went too hard in the first 5km so I’m hoping this time I can pace it better. I’ll have to see what kind of marathon I have in me – I usually aim for 2:26, perhaps I can go a little faster and implement better pacing and drink better and hopefully I’ll be able to compete better. I was surprised last year, I heard so much about this race but being here doesn’t compare – Solar Hill, the finish stadium. It makes it really special and I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like this in the world, not even the Olympics”
Upcoming Sunday you can watch Challenge Roth live and for free via www.tri-today.com.
