Germany played host to the 21st edition of Mainova IRONMAN® European Championship Frankfurt today, but it was the American women who stole the show. Following a DNF at IRONMAN Frankfurt back in 2019, which saw Moench take the win, True finally got her redemption as she became the new IRONMAN European Champion today in a time of 08:54:53, only overtaking her fellow American on the fourth lap of the run.
Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) completed the podium, in her most impressive performance of her career to date, earning her a slot to the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the defending champion and home favourite, Daniela Bleymehl took herself off the bike course, and fellow German Svenja Thoes who mentioned being poorly earlier in the week stopped during the swim.
Rebecca Clarke (AUS) was first out of the swim and led to over halfway, when she dropped back and eventually finished in 8th place with a time 09:20:42.
Sarah True, the new IRONMAN European Champion commented: “This is one of my favourite races for a reason; the crowd support is incredible, it’s well organised, and it’s such a delight to race here.”
This was a female professional race only, with the professional men racing at IRONMAN European Championship Hamburg last month.
Talking about the split gender races, Sarah added: “What I love about having women’s only races is that we get the media focus. I have done only two races this year, and both have been women’s only and it’s been such a nice experience.”
Skye Moench said, “Racing as women only in Frankfurt and in Kona as well really helps us have the spotlight and our race gets the attention it deserves…When it’s women’s only we get to see the whole thing from start to finish, and not just bits and pieces interspersed in the men’s race…The more we get our own races, the more people realise how exciting the racing is.”
It was an age-grouper, Lukas Stahl (18-24) from Germany who was first over the line in the men’s race with a time of 08:35:22.
Mainova IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt results
Professional women
1. Sarah True (USA) – 08:54:53
2. Skye Moench (USA) – 08:57:30
3. Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) – 09:02:53
4. Laura Jansen (DEU) – 09:08:11
5. Maja Stage Nielsen (DEN) – 09:11:27
Full swim-bike-run results for Mainova IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt can be found here
IRONMAN 70.3 Andorra
At IRONMAN 70.3 Andorra, Jan Frodeno raced on home turf to finish in a time of 04:25:47, just under three minutes ahead of fellow German Olympian Jonas Schomburg. Frodeno hung behind Schmoburg until around halfway on the run where he made his move to overtake and then stuck in first place until he took the tape. It was then a quadruplet of Spaniards who followed with Jordi Montraveta Moya completing the podium, and Fernando Zorilla Medrano, Gonzalo Fuentes, and Erik Merino close behind.
In the professional women’s field, Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) led the race from the swim, with Emma Pallant Browne (GBR) remaining on her shoulder throughout the entire race. Laura Gomez Ramon (ESP) and Daniela Kleiser (DEU) switched between third and fourth position throughout the bike, but it was Daniela who broke away in the run and ended up pipping Laura to the final place on the podium by over 15 minutes.
Jan Frodeno commented: “It’s been a long time since I won a race, it’s been a tough time. But people here in Andorra have welcome me with open arms, I’ve got so many people here in my team helping me get back on track and seeing them on the course is a really nice to repay them with some positive emotions.
It’s a hard race. I was told before the start it is the hardest IRONMAN 70.3]and I knew it was. Jonnas flied on the swim course, had a very good climb on the bike, but I managed to fast down, I like it!”
Ashleigh Gentle added: “It’s a great race, but a hard race, I knew what I was in to, but still It was hard. I have tried to have fun on the bike. I felt good, only on the run course I kind of lost the rhythm but managed to control and I am happy to be at this finish line, with this beautiful backdrop and ambience”
IRONMAN 70.3 Andorra Results
Professional men
1. Jan Frodeno (DEU) – 04:25:47
2. Jonas Schomburg (DEU) – 04:28:39
3. Jordi Montraveta Moya (ESP) – 04:32:50
Professional women
1. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) – 04:59:32
2. Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR) – 05:06:06
3. Daniela Kleiser (DEU) – 05:15:20
IRONMAN 70.3 Andorra results are here
IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée
It was a trio of Frenchmen in the form of Leon Chevalier, Arnaud Guilloux and Pierre le Corre who completed the podium in Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée. An incredibly fast race saw the top eight men all finish under the four-hour mark.
It was a similar story in the women’s race, with Charlene Clavel (FRA) coining her first IRONMAN 70.3 win, and fellow countrywoman Emilie Morier in second place, but Danish Lisa Gerß fought off Eloise Du Luat from making it a full French podium. Again, the women showed fast times with all professional women coming in well under the five hour mark.
Leon Chevalier commented: “I came to Les Sables to visit my local family [referencing his local club, Les Sables Vendée Triathlon] and because it was the end of three weeks of training. I swam with the idea of keeping some strength. It helped me push a lot in the bike, and I still don’t understand how I’ve been able to make a result like this. And then I had a great run. It’s very reassuring ahead of the [VinFast] IRONMAN World Championships that take place in 2 months in Nice after the results I had earlier in the year.”
Charlene Clavel said: “I’m delighted with my first victory on the IRONMAN circuit! After a few 3rd places, I was able to win in front of my club, Les Sables Vendée Triathlon. I’ve made a great race, for sure the last kilometers of the run I was able to control the race and distance with Emilie Morier.”
Professional men
1. Leon Chevalier (FRA) – 03:46:11
2. Arnaud Guilloux (FRA) – 03:47:28
3. Pierre le Corre (FRA) – 03:40:31
Professional women
1. Charlene Clavel (FRA) – 04:23:24
2. Emilie Morier (FRA) – 04:25:42
3. Lisa Gerß (DEN) – 04:26:15
Full IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée results are here
