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Ditlev returned as winner of Challenge Budva-Montenegro

Challenge Family overturns original decision and gives winner a five-minute penalty

Photo by: Challenge Family

It’s been quite a ride for Denmark’s Magnus Ditlev. As we reported earlier this week he had an amazing race at Challenge Budva-Montenegro, beating two-time Kona champ Patrick Lange by almost seven minutes. Then it was learned that he had been disqualified for cutting the course – even though he was led the wrong way by the lead bike.

Now Challenge Family has announced that after “further investigation” Ditlev has been given a five-minute penalty instead of the disqualification, which means he is once again the champion.

“The decision to disqualify Ditlev was based on information available at the time as per the World Triathlon rules where course-cutting results in disqualification,” Challenge Family said in statement posted on its website. “However, based on subsequent investigation, his disqualification has been returned to a five-minute time penalty as provided initially. The action was reduced in acknowledgement of the part the race organisation played in misdirecting Ditlev, for which Challenge Family and Challenge Budva-Montenegro has apologised, with a commitment to put more robust procedures in place to ensure this is not repeated. Ditlev retains his place as the inaugural Challenge Budva-Montenegro champion with a time of 3:46:29 with Patrick Lange in second (3:48:21) and Ruedi Wild in third (3:50:43).”

Below is an Instagram post in which Ditlev explains what happened during the run: