‘Strongest pro field in 30 years’ at Challenge Roth 2014
Pete Jacobs, Luke McKenzie, Mirinda Carfrae and Rachel Joyce among big names lining up in Germany this July
Challenge Roth has revealed its strongest ever pro line-up for this year’s 30th anniversary race, including big names such as Pete Jacobs (AUS), James Cunnama (RSA), Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) and Britain’s very own Rachel Joyce.
Confirming the pro field at a press conference earlier today, the organisers said the men’s race will also include Eneko Llanos (ESP), last year’s winner Dirk Bockel (LUX) and top German athletes Timo Bracht and Nils Frommhold.
Other female pros looking to break Chrissie Wellington’s 2011 women’s record will be Dutch athlete Yvonne Van Vlerken (currently recovering from shoulder surgery), Caroline Steffen (SUI) and Michelle Vesterby (DEN). Also keen to force their way onto the podium will be German athletes Julia Gajer, Diana Riesler and Daniela Sämmler.
This year’s race will be held on 20 July and will also see around 5,500 age-group athletes take on the long-distance course (3.8km swim/180km bike/42.2km run), watched by more than 200,000 spectators.
Who do you think will win this year’s Challenge Roth – can Britain’s Rachel Joyce hold off Kona 2013 winner Mirinda Carfrae? Let us know in the comments below!
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
