Jan Frodeno returns with a win, while Patrick Lange sets Olympic triathlon course record

Cam Mitchell June 3, 2019

This past weekend, Jan Frodeno and Patrick Lange toed the line at events in Germany and Austria. Frodeno got his 2019 season underway at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau, while Lange went down a distance and competed at the Olympic triathlon in Kirchbichl.

At 70.3 Kraichgau, Frodeno was not only making his season debut, but it was also his first race since the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Following one of the most brilliant performances the sport has ever seen, the world champion was forced to withdraw from the Ironman World Championships due to a sacral stress fracture. A few weeks later, Lange went onto become the first man to go under eight hours on the Island of Hawaii and win his second world championship.

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Happy with a solid summer’s days work here at #70.3Kraichgau. Since it literally turned summer yesterday, 30+ degrees was a rude shock to the system but one I’ll happily struggle through. Congrats to all that made it in today’s tough conditions and a big thanks to the team and volunteers for another smooth edition of the race! ? @fx_makesapicture

A post shared by Jan Frodeno (@janfrodeno) on Jun 2, 2019 at 6:08am PDT

From the start, Frodeno was in control of the race. Despite coming out of the water 40 seconds behind the early race leader, the German put the hammer down on the bike and ran a sub 1:13 half-marathon to take the win by over 12 minutes. Helle Frederiksen took the win on the women’s side, this after having to withdraw from the 2019 ITU Long Distance Championship due to an injury.

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Taking the win in Kirchbichl- with narrowed eyes (but only due to the sun) and the good feeling that I‘m still able to push myself on the short distances as well. Thanks to all the guys who challenged me today – had to go for the course record to take the win. #BeTheRecordbreaker

A post shared by Patrick Lange (@patricklange1) on Jun 1, 2019 at 9:11am PDT

At the Triathlon Kirchbichl, Lange wowed the crowd with a record-breaking performance in Austria. Despite racing a shorter event than usual, the German proved his versatility and took the win ahead of some young triathlon talent. Lange came out of the water second, 1:15 behind the leader. On the 40K bike, Lange drove the pace and clocked the fastest bike split (52:15). With enough daylight between him and his pursuers, the German went onto break the previous course record and take his second win of the 2019 season (finishing time 1:46:16). Yvonne van Vlerken, a two-time Challenge Roth winner, took the win on the women’s side in 2:05:31.

Now with Frodeno back competing, anticipation builds for a “healthy” Frodeno-Lange showdown at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice. Not to mention Sebastian Kienle‘s return to racing with two wins in two weeks (Challenge Heilbronn and The Championship).