IRONMAN Hamburg 2023: Big race overshadowed by horrific accident

This article was our preview and live stream for IRONMAN Hamburg 2023 – however in light of the tragic accident during the bike leg of the race, we took the decision to remove the live stream. Our thoughts and sympathies are with those involved and affected.

The man acclaimed by many as triathlon’s GOAT is in action in Hamburg this weekend, as the city in Northern Germany hosts the IRONMAN European Championship for male athletes in 2023.

Pro Men

The biggest talking point without question was be the return of Jan Frodeno to long-distance racing, after the German made the first step in his comeback with a fourth place finish at the PTO Tour European Open in Ibiza.

Having not completed an Ironman since his Kona winning performance in 2019, it will be interesting to see what kind of race the legend can produce in Hamburg, with a home crowd and a European title up for grabs two massive incentives to put in a big performance.

Alongside Frodeno on the start line should have been Alistair Brownlee, who in his own comeback of sorts, finished sixth in Ibiza before winning on his XTERRA debut in Weston Park. The Yorkshireman had been looking to race his first Ironman since winning IRONMAN Sweden last summer, but was forced to pull out on Thursday.

Another big name who had been initially in the mix for this race was PTO European Open winner Max Neumann, but the Aussie has also decided to wait for another opportunity to take on Frodo and co over the full distance.

Elsewhere on the start list, defending European champion Denis Chevrot of France will hope to take a second win, having collected that title in Frankfurt last year. The PTO World #25 races his first full distance event of the season.

Kristian Høgenhaug of Denmark, who finished 16th at the PTO Tour European Open, who won here in 2019, is also on the start list, as is German Florian Angert, the PTO World #14, who will be hoping for some extra support from the home crowd.

American Matt Hanson, who suffered a terrible crash at IRONMAN Texas last month, struggled at The Championship in Slovakia a fortnight ago, but will hope to do better over the longer distance in Germany, as will Belgian Pieter Heemereyck, who just missed out on the podium in Slovakia.

Finally, Aussie Josh Amberger, who most recently finished fifth at the World Long Course Championships in Ibiza, will be widely tipped to lead out of the water, and after a strong run of form, could compete for one of the Nice slots if he can build on some strong early season form.

Prize Money: What’s on the line?

With IRONMAN Hamburg carrying additional prestige this year as the IRONMAN European Championship for Pro Men, there’s a healthy $75,000 total prize pot on offer. Remember of course – as a Pro Men only race – that doesn’t get split either, leaving a top prize of $25,000 on offer to the race winner.

In addition to money, there will be a five qualifying slots for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice.

The total funds will be paid ten-deep, as follows:

1. $25,000
2. $15,000
3. $9,000
4. $7,500
5. $5,500
6. $4,000
7. $3,000
8. $2,500
9. $2,000
10. $1,500