Patrick Lange is, finally, your IRONMAN Texas Pro Men champion for 2024 – but this wasn’t the way he wanted it to happen.
The two-time Kona king was retrospectively awarded the W this week – almost five months after the action ended at The Woodlands – on the back of the two-year ban handed to Mexican Tomás Rodríguez Hernández for an anti-doping rule violation.
Rodríguez Hernández took the tape back in April, completing his win with an astonishing 2:34:14 marathon.
But on August 6 the news came out of the International Testing Agency (ITA) that he had returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for Clomifene (S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators). The sample was collected during an in-competition test at that IRONMAN Texas race on April 27.
Then, on Friday, the case was resolved with the Mexican being handed a two-year ban from competition.
Lange on ‘bittersweet’ victory
Friday’s news meant the 38-year-old Lange was at last handed what was rightfully his, but it did not get back his moment at the top of the podium. Not surprisingly the German superstar described the feeling as “bittersweet”.
Writing in a heartfelt post on his Instagram account, Lange said: “Sometimes, victories can be bittersweet. After @ironmantri Texas in late April, I was officially awarded the win today following the positive doping test of the “athlete” who initially crossed the line ahead of me.
“This is my second victory in Texas from two starts. The race in The Woodlands has a special place in my heart because it’s been my first ever Ironman. So winning here means a lot to me! But it’s not how I wanted to achieve it. It’s heartbreaking to have that magical moment of crossing the finish line as the winner taken away in such an unfair way. For my team, my partners, and me, those moments of success are irreplaceable.”
German applauds fight against doping
While Lange felt that emptiness of having the moment of victory taken away, he did have much more positive thoughts on the commitment to fight doping in triathlon.
“I completely distance myself from the actions and shortcuts my opponent took, and I stand firmly for clean sport. Reaching the top takes years of dedication and hard work, but it’s absolutely possible to get there clean.
“No one becomes a champion overnight. I’m proud of my performance and grateful to Ironman for their commitment to fighting doping. Believe in yourself and in the value of honest competition.”
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