Andreas Raelert will start at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt on Sunday. The European Champion of 2010 wants to fight for a place on the podium in this high-class race which starts at 6.45 a.m. at Lake Waldsee next to Frankfurt. "The decision to start in Frankfurt was made relatively late," says Andreas Raelert. He signed in for the pro competition a few weeks ago, because he didn’t want to miss the period for registration. But at the same time Andy discussed other race options on the Ironman distance. In consultation with his coach Wolfram Bott he talked about several options. The decision to show up in Frankfurt and to take part in the fight for the European Ironman crown fell shortly before the race.
"My decision for Frankfurt has developed," says Andreas Raelert, "it is a very challenging and at the same time extremely powerful race with a great crowd. Frankfurt makes you want to give everything. And you also have to do so." In the past, Andreas Raelert has been able to be a factor in each of his three races in Frankfurt: In 2009 he ranked fourth in his debut race in Frankfurt, in 2010 he won the European title, in 2012 he crashed on the bike and suffered a concussion, but he still finished in fourth position. "The finishline at the Römer in Frankfurt is a reward for every athlete and it is very special," says Andreas Raelert, "I am really looking forward to the audience and to an exciting race."
Quite deliberately, Andreas Raelert waited long to launch his start in Frankfurt, since the season had started somewhat later for him after an injury at the end of last year. "Facing such a strong field of participants as we will have in Frankfurt, you would like to be at 100 percent of your physical strength – and you want to make sure that you have done everything necessary," says Andreas Raelert. After a training camp with his brother Michael at Lake Chiemsee he starts into the competition with bib number 5. In Frankfurt Andreas Raelert would like to qualify for the Ironman World Championship which will be held on October 11.
On Sunday, the four-time podium finisher of the Ironman Hawaii expects a high-class pro field which includes two world champions: In addition to Hawaii champion Frederik van Lierde (Belgium) also the two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Sebastian Kienle from Germany takes part. Moreover, the Olympic champion of 2008 and reigning Ironman 70.3 European champion, Jan Frodeno, makes his debut on the Ironman distance in Frankfurt. Last year's runner up Jan Raphael, the two Spaniards Clemente Alonso-McKernan and Miquel Tinto Blanchart, Alessandro Degasperi (Italy), last year’s third placed Dutchman Bas Diederen and the seven-time winner of the Ironman Switzerland, Ronnie Schildknecht, are as well among the favorites.
The race starts at 6.45 a.m. with the swim at Lake Waldsee in Langen. German TV broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk will show the race live on TV from 10 a.m. on. There will be a liveticker on www.ironman.com