IRONMAN Hamburg tragedy: Amberger felt ‘dirty and disgusted’ that race went on

News Director

Australia’s Josh Amberger has said he “expected the race to be neutralised” and “felt dirty and disgusted” that IRONMAN Hamburg continued following a collision early on the bike section which resulted in a fatality.

A motorcycle operator, who was carrying an official race photographer, was killed while the photographer and an age-group athlete were both injured and taken to hospital following the tragic accident during Sunday’s race. The photographer has since been released from hospital.


‘The most horrific thing I have ever seen’

Amberger was part of a lead group of nine athletes in the professional race who witnessed the horrific incident at first hand.

In a powerful Instagram post he also called for changes in the amount of race traffic, saying the current level “is no longer acceptable”.

He said: “It was the most horrific thing I have ever seen, and I don’t wish to share any detail on what we saw, other it …seemed to me that the collision was not survivable.

“I expected the race to be neutralised, but it was not. I feel dirty and disgusted that we continued to race in these conditions.”

The Championship 2022 Josh Amberger
Josh Amberger in action at The Championship race in 2023 [Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade]

Call for change

Amberger, in common with many other of his fellow pros, has called for urgent change.

He added: “From what I know, we were followed by a cavalcade of up to 18 motorbikes on a narrow road with two-way traffic. It shouldn’t take someone to lose their life to realise this level of race traffic is no longer acceptable.

“I spent a lot of the race in shock… My heart goes out to the family of those involved, as well as those in the triathlon and wider volunteer community that will [be] grieving.”

And writing on Monday and referencing the response to his initial post, Amberger added: “Lots to process today, thanks to everyone that has reached out.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Latest News
Hayden Wilde WTCS Grand Final Pontevedra 2023
Hayden Wilde reacts to agonising world title miss after a dramatic day at WTCS Finals Pontevedra
Alex Yee WTCS Pontevedra 2023
WTCS Pontevedra 2023 results: Full finishing order and times as Yee and Wilde endure agony
Dorian Coninx, Tim Hellwig, Pierre Le Corre - World Triathlon Championship Finals Pontevedra
2023 WTCS Finals Pontevedra Men’s Results: Coninx takes the win and the world title
Grace Norman - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
World Paratriathlon Champs 2023 results wrap from Pontevedra
Daneil Baekkegard finishing second at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022
Daniel Baekkegard battling mystery illness as Dane races against time for Australian goal