Search
shop

Daniel Baekkegard gives build-up insight after Challenge Roth fourth place finish

Daniel Baekkegard shares where his mental state was at before fourth at Challenge Roth.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Danish distance star Daniel Baekkegard has released a new YouTube video that documents his thoughts in the build-up to last weekends Challenge Roth, which was won by his compatriot Magnus Ditlev.

Finishing in fourth place, Baekkegard dipped under the 7:40 mark and recorded the second fastest marathon split, which is no mean feat when you are up against the German speedster Patrick Lange.

Detailing his race plan and preparations in the days leading up to the clash in Bavaria last weekend, Baekkegard gives an insight on to where his headspace was before such a brilliant performance.

Advertisement

“I’m very nervous and freaking out completely”

Documenting how he felt before toeing the line, Baekkegard admitted he was incredibly nervous, something that many age group athletes can relate to and take solace in the fact that even the best in the sport suffer from pre-race jitters.

“I’m very nervous and freaking out completely, but at the same time you’re trying to keep your cool so it’s kind of weird. I slept one hour last night, I’m a complete nervous wreck right now before the race.” 

Underlining his race plan, Baekkegard was prepared to make it hard from the start to force Ditlev to chase the front group early on, something the eventual winner avoided after an incredible swim leg.

“I’m going to take off the first 400m like it’s a 400m event in the swim, hopefully I can create some separation and see some of the other guys sharing the work. I hope we keep the pace high in the water so we can make the other guys suffer as much as possible.” 

“Then on the bike, of course it is easy to say now that I’ll push massive watts, but I also know what the reality is. I’ll be investing quite a lot of energy in the first 90km.

“I think some of it comes quite easy as you have all the fans there and it feels incredible. There will be 90km of attacking, to hopefully keep Magnus at bay, then we will see how things are.”

“My dream scenario is 2:32”

Despite splitting an incredible 2:36 marathon time after such a hard swim and bike in Roth, Baekkegard said in his pre-race interview that he hoped to run a blistering 2:32, something that he wasn’t too far off.

Daniel Baekkegard - IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 - bike
Photo Credit: IRONMAN

“Then on the run, I think it is all down to pacing. It’s going to be difficult because I think it will be quite hot and humid and if it’s like that I’ll pace the first 30 minutes on heart rate and see.

“If I have fantastic legs, my dream scenario is 2:32 on the marathon, because I think if Patrick is there, I’ll just say f*** it and go with him. 

“This is a race where I’m going to race the scenarios, burn some matches and have some fun whilst doing it. I know I’ll feel s*** sometimes but I’m fine with that. I think of course I have a plan and a pacing strategy and so on, but I just want to race and have a good time.” 

Having produced the fastest Ironman race of his life at Challenge Roth, Baekkegard now sits at PTO World #9 and is undoubtedly one of the favourites for the podium at the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice this September.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...