Alanis Siffert (SUI)
“It’s a big honour be here and be a part of this event. I heard this was the greatest triathlon fetival that the atmosphere is just crazy. I think that the minimum we can do as an athlete is to give everything we can to a race. My expectation on race day is soaking up the atmosphere from the amazing crowds – it’s going to be hard and tough and I’ll take this with me to help fuel me and be my best. I don’t like to set myself a time before a race, there is big competition ahead but I’m in good shape so I’m looking forward to a good battle.”
Grace Thek (AUS)
“It’s something I’ve been thinking of doing for many years and I’m very excited to experience everything that is Roth for myself. This is my first long distance experience, and I don’t really know what to expect, going up against the full distance. It’s exciting but I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous. I’m looking forward to the magic of the crowd and atmosphere on Solar Hill.”
Laura Siddall (GBR)
“This is my sixth time racing but my ninth year here in Roth. My first experience going up Solar Hill is somthing I’ll never forget, and it just gets better and better each year. I have great memories of being on the podium twice. But for me, the memories I have from the race are the people – the team, the family, the volunteers. I’ve stayed with my homestayl family for nine years, these the memories and moments you hold onto. This will be my last Roth as as professional and quietly likely, my last race as a professional. My goal is to get to the finish line to honour this race and the people here. It’s been a long two years to get back to racing, so just being on the start line is amazing and a win, but I have trained as hard as I can and I’m definitely not here to cruise around and make up numbers. I want to go out giving my all and having the best race I possibly can and if I can be competitive against the youngsters and the world champion, I will do what I can. I will appreciate everything this race and this sport has given me.”
Nikki Bartlett (GBR)
“I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get here. I’ve always wanted to do this race and the reason why I do this sport is what this race is all about. I feel like I’m finding my groove with the full distance so hopefully that will play out this weekend. I’ll just race my own race on the day, I feel fit and I’ll give it my all and have no fear”
Laura Philipp (GER)
“It’s always nice to be back here and it’s going to be a wonderful day. I’m always nervous but at the same time it’s important in my preparation to not believe too much that I might be the strongest on paper. I still have to prove myself, we all start with the same conditions and you never know what happens on the day. I’m happy people believe in me and this motivates me and hopefully I’ll be able to win on Sunday. Going under eight hours is definitely a thought, it is possible, it’s just a question of time when it’s going to happen. I don’t know if it will be me, but it is a big step that we, women in triathlon, will take soon and that thought of being the first woman to achieve that is motivating”
Tom Bishop (GBR)
“Last year was my first proper go at full distance but I found myself running for a podium, it was unbelievable. I can still remember coming into the stadium. I just want to have great battle with these guys – the start list is unreal and it’s really exciting to be a part of it. I’d like to get round in one piece on Sunday. My training’s been good, ideally I’d like to be able to make a move on the run but the race mechanics with these guys can mean anything could happen.”
Jan Stratmann (GER)
“I was fourth last year and that’s something to build on as it was very close. I definitely want to get one place higher, it’s going to be difficult but I’m looking forward to it. It’s possible and slowly but surely I’m figuring out how to do long distance. I have being preparing solely for this which is why I haven’t been doing so well in the middle distance. I’m prepared to be part of action at the front. But it doesn’t matter how well you prepared, the race will be the race.”
Frederic Funk (GER)
“I probably know the race better than my competitors. I do know that I’m so looking forward to this race, I’ve never looked forward to any race like this one as my first long distance race. I’ve heard that the mindset will play a big role and I’m prepared for this. It’d like to get to the finish line, my team and I have tried to create as much media attention as possible, which puts a lot of pressure on me which will improve my performance I have a lot of expectation and if you look at the competition, it’s going to be very, very difficult. I believe I will be able to have a good result in my first long distance race. The support is pure motivation. The pressure goes away during the race, you focus on yourself and I’m hoping the fans will carry me to the finish line!”
Jonas Schomburg (GER)
“Last weekend was extremely frustrating. I was picked up by the team and it was very soon, that I decided to race here. The bib number was printed, I had a homestay, the support has been amazing, I don’t think it would have been possible at a different race to organise everything in just one week. It has all worked out well in the end – the conditions in Roth are outstanding, especially compared to Frankfurt. I would have to say that the feeling will be very different to last week. The swimming will be faster and I will try to dominate the race on my terms. I always like to be in the front and I believe I can beat the time from Magnus!”
Daniel Bækkegård (DEN)
“I’ve just been trying to recover from last weekend. I have no clue what will happen on Sunday, We have one of the best short distance athletes ever, we have multiple world champions. There are guys who don’t have a lot of experience at this distance, but at the same time they are the best professional athletes in the world. It’s going to be an exciting fight to the finish line and I’m really looking forward to it. Everybody is ready to race, no matter what the conditions are.”
Vincent Luis (FRA)
“I few people told me I have the best outfit so I’m happy I’ve won something already this week! Long Distance has always been on the cards – I’ve done three Olympics and now I want to experience the long distance stuff. I was here 20 years to watch my dad racing and I always wanted to do this race and I’m ready to race on Sunday. I just want to enjoy the day, it’s going to be a long day, I don’t’ what to do anything extraordinary, and I don’t want to walk the marathon. I just want to enjoy it and enjoy the crowds, my parents are coming, bringing back some memories from 20 years ago. It’s incredible what the Challenge team put together here – I’ve raced hundreds of races and I’ve never seen anything like it. Thank you to everyone, it’s amazing, we should be grateful for it and I hope we can give back some show to repay them for their efforts”
Sam Laidlow (FRA)
“This is definitely one race for me to come back to – they call it home of triathlon for reason. I had a very successful first part of my career, it’s normal to have setbacks to reassess. I’m confident I have momentum now that hopefully will carry me for the next 10-15 years. If you’re a professional triathlete, Roth is up there. It’s so special what Felix, Alice, Kathrin and the whole team has done – I’m a big believer in family values and the strength of the values – we’re in an industry where things come and go but Roth has been around for a long time and is here to stay with an amazing community – not only does it bring us as athletes a lot of pleasure but what it’s done for the industry as a whole is huge. I’m going into this race confident that I can podium and if the stars align, win. But it’s going to be a big ask but I’m hoping I can bring up some Houdini shit at the weekend. Soak up the atmosphere and if there’s one place to walk the marathon, it’s here!”
