Countdown for the 2014 Ironman European Championships
This weekend the eyes of the world will be on Frankfurt, Germany, where the 2014 Ironman European Championships take place. This race will be all about pride, money and many Kona points.
The Castelli equipped European Champion of 2010, Andreas Raelert, looks forward to his comeback at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt on Sunday. Andreas 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. 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 he 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.
“It’s textremely powerful race with a great crowd. Frankfurt makes you want to give everything.”
“My decision for Frankfurt has developed,” says Andreas Raelert, “it’s a very challenging and at the same time extremely powerful race with a great crowd. Frankfurt makes you want to give everything.
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 finish-line 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.”
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 the Castelli equipped Hawaii champion Frederik van Lierde (Belgium) also the two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Sebastian Kienle from Germany takes part. are as well among the favorites.
In Frankfurt Andreas Raelert would like to qualify for the Ironman World Championship which will be held on October 11, 2014. 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
The Castelli equipped athletes, Andreas Raelert and Frederik Van Lierde, will wear products from Castelli’s Free race collection on Sunday. The Free collection is the result of years of Castelli aerodynamic research in cycling clothing resulting in flat seams and aerodynamic fabric surfaces that minimize time on the bike, along with run-enhancing comfort and temperature management. For more information, click here.