There have never been so many top favorites: at the CHALLENGE ROTH 2023 on June 25th, the top-class men’s starting field in the history of the race will meet.
Yesterday Felix Walchshöfer's team unveiled the men's professional starting field and that's quite something:
Last year's winner Magnus Ditlev (DEN) wants the double and this time maybe also the course record, which he just missed in 2022. The surprise second-place finisher at the IRONMAN Hawaii, Sam Laidlow, will also be at the starting line in Roth for the first time - not as an insider tip, but as a clear co-favourite.
However, the two youngsters are dealing with the concentrated long-distance power of the "old masters", above all Sebastian Kienle on his farewell tour in 2023, who triumphed in Roth in 2018. In addition, Patrick Lange (winner CHALLENGE ROTH 2021), Andi Dreitz (winner CHALLENGE ROTH 2019) and Nils Formmhold (winner CHALLENGE ROTH 2015) will ensure real pressure in the field.
Joe Skipper (GBR), who after two second places in Roth now wants to finally climb to the top of the podium, is also one of the closest favorites. Like Patrick Lange, the Briton will play to his strengths, especially when running. Also at the start: Ben Kanute . The fact that the American belongs among the very best in the world was shown most recently at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, where he fought a gripping duel with Kristian Blummenfelt for the title.
Here is an overview of the professional starting field:
Source: TEAM CHALLENGE
