Having committed to the IRONMAN Pro Series last month after turning down a contract for the T100 Triathlon World Tour, Patrick Lange is one of the favourites for this year’s title.
However, when speaking to TRI247, the two-time IRONMAN World Champion was keen to underline the skill required to win the series title, given the demanding nature of multiple long course races in a calendar year.
The German warned that saying healthy was of paramount importance and predicted that the most mentally and physically refreshed come Kona will be best placed to take the win.
“The competition will be tough for sure”
Whilst he could not confirm his race calendar aside from the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Lange confirmed that he will be racing a total of six events in 2024.
“So far, I can say that I will focus on the IRONMAN Pro series and join six races in total in 2024. My first races will take place in the US – the rest will be announced in March this year!”
With the first two races of the IRONMAN Pro Series stateside, there’s a strong probability Lange will race both IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside and IRONMAN Texas in April.
Having won four out of his seven previous full distance races on US soil, the German will be a firm favourite if he chooses to race in Texas and it will be fascinating to see how he goes at the iconic Oceanside event.
“Staying consistent and injury-free is also the task”
Asked on who he sees as his biggest rivals for the series crown, Lange was noncommittal, but said that winning a season long series will prove to be an incredibly tough test.
“We have to wait and see who will commit to the Pro Series, but winning over a year-long racing will be hard work, and the competition will be tough for sure.”
Given the lengthy nature of both the IRONMAN Pro Series and T100 Triathlon World Tour, the German was adamant that staying healthy will be the biggest challenge in 2024.
“The special challenge in this year’s Kona edition will be how the top athletes deal with the increased number of races and travel.
“Staying consistent and injury-free is also the task of the season. The one who is mentally and physically the best recovered after a long year of exciting racing will take the crown.”
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