The title defense has failed: Patrick Lange has given up on the Ironman in Hawaii. After an excellent swim performance and a good first 60 kilometers on the bike, Lange dropped when he saw one of his coaches. Why had Lange, who had triumphed in Hawaii in 2017 and 2018, had to give up, was not clear at first. The television pictures showed how the two-time world champion was comforted. The bike seemed to have no damage.
2x-Defending IRONMAN World champion Patrick Long abruptly stopped when he saw his coach and has officially dropped out of the race. #IMWC pic.twitter.com/CnB68dlRKW
- IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 12, 2019For Lange, the problems continued in a difficult season. At the European Championships in Frankfurt / Main he was outclassed by the also two-time world champion Jan Frodeno, at the World Cup over the half-distance he was also clearly beaten.
- Read an interview with Long Coach Faris Al-Sultan here
Long coach Faris Al-Sultan was not allowed to travel to Hawaii because he applied for his visa too late.
