Defending champion, Daniela Bleymehl, a last-minute entry for Challenge Roth

The duel between last year’s runner up, Lucy Charles Barclay, and defending champion, Daniela Bleymehl (nee Sämmler), looks set to be repeated following Bleymehl’s last minute entry into Roth following her DNF at Frankfurt last week due to illness. Just nine seconds separated Daniela Bleymehl and Lucy Charles in 2018 after 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42.2 km running.

Bleymehl had to withdraw from Frankfurt at the beginning of the run due to a gastrointestinal virus, which she had contracted a few days before the race. She has now made a full recovery. “My medical check-up earlier this week showed the virus has now fully gone,” explains Bleymehl. “I’m feeling really fit again and my fitness is as good as ever in recent weeks”.

Last year, Daniela Bleymehl won Challenge Roth in a record German time of 8:43:42. Bleymehl has already proven her good form this year with a second at Challenge Salou and a German champion title at Challenge Heilbronn in May. She also won Challenge Geraardsbergen and finished third at The Championship Samorin. This is her fourth start in Roth (2014, 2015, 2018).