In a message which is likely to raise more than a few nervous eyebrows among his closest rivals, three-time IRONMAN World Champion Patrick Lange insists he will arrive in Nice this weekend in his best physical shape.
By confidently declaring that his early-season injury struggles are now ‘long behind him’, the 39-year-old German believes he has given himself the very best possible chance to follow up on last year’s barnstorming victory with a fourth IMWC title.
Despite having only raced twice this season, Lange’s record in this showcase event of the men’s calendar means he will once again don the #1 bib as he seeks a victory which will take him up to third in the list of all-time winners – with only six-time winning legends Mark Allen and Dave Scott ahead of him.
Lange admitted as recently as June that he was still struggling to run properly due to the inflamed adductor tendon that had kept him firmly on the sidelines since he struggled to a 17th-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 at Oceanside in April. His return at the IRONMAN Frankfurt, where he crossed the line in seventh place, remains his only full-distance event since Kona last October.
Lack of competitive edge
Whether his lack of competitive preparation will ultimately have any negative bearing on his gold medal chances remains to be seen. But as he prepares to line up against a field of rivals, jam-packed with the world’s elite IRONMAN athletes, he knows he has done everything possible to give himself a fighting chance.
Writing on his Instagram account, he said: “Training since St. Moritz at Home in Salzburg has been good, actually, really good. The injury struggles from the start of the season are long behind me, and I feel like I’m hitting the right gears at the perfect time. 👊🏼
“One week to go until the @ironmantri World Championship in Nice. I’ve done everything I can to be on that start line in my personal best shape. Now it’s all about showing up on race day, healthy, focused, relaxed and giving it full beans.
“Can’t wait to be back in France, back in Nice, and to wear bib number 1 at the IM World Champs for the third time! 🇫🇷🔥”
One of four former champions set to line up in the high-class field, Lange can expect stiff competition from the likes of Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR), Gustav Iden (NOR) and Sam Laidlow (FRA), while the likes of Magnus Ditlev (DEN), Rudy Von Berg (USA), Matthew Marquardt (USA) and Sam Long (USA) will all feel they have a chance in what promises to be a thrilling battle on the French Riviera.
Place among sport’s legends
A fourth victory on the grandest IRONMAN stage of all would certainly cement his place among the sport’s multi-discipline legends.
However, typically for Lange, his thoughts are not solely on the big race this weekend, as he also looked to utilise his popularity on social media by announcing a new charity endeavour in support of Bärenherz Wiesbaden – a foundation which supports facilities for families with terminally ill children.
He added on Instagram: “And one more thing that’s very close to my heart: from now on, all proceeds from my PL5 online shop will go directly to a foundation supporting children with cancer @baerenherz_wiesbaden. Every purchase counts! Thank you for helping make a difference. ❤️”
A class act in both sport and in life.
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