Frodeno toes the line at Allgäu Triathlon

Manama : The reigning Ironman world champion and Bahrain Endurance 13 team member is racing Germany’s oldest middle-distance triathlon. Jan Frodeno will toe the start line at the 35th edition of the Allgäu Triathlon this weekend in preparation for his Ironman World Championship title defence in October in Kona, Hawaii.

“The Allgäu Triathlon is a very traditional race here in Germany. I have heard many stories of it and I look forward to the experience this weekend,” Frodeno said. 

With 1.9 kilometres of swimming, 80 kilometres of cycling, and 20 kilometres of running, the Allgäu Triathlon is a little bit longer than races in the 70.3 format. 

“The race is part of a training block, and the timing fit perfect in my preparation for Kona and a good opportunity to test within race conditions,” he added.

Frodeno joins the ranks of Kona champions who have competed at this race, including fellow Germans Thomas Hellriegel, Normann Stadler, Faris Al Sultan, and Sebastian Kienle.

Meanwhile, Fredrik Croneborg will be flying from Europe back to Asia to mount a title defence at the Ironman 70.3 Bintan in Indonesia. The Swede competed at Embrunman in France on Tuesday, tackling the full-distance triathlon in the French Alps in a time of 10:17:36, finishing eighth. 

“It will be a real challenge to perform so close after Embrunman but I would like to try to defend my title from last year and on the island and one of my favourite courses,” Croneborg said.

Mikel Calahorra is taking on Ironman Copenhagen. The Bahrain-based Spaniard welcomes the change in scenery and temperature. 

 “The journey to the race has been tough; training in Bahrain in summer for an Ironman is not an easy task,” Calahorra said.