Episode 138: Frankfurt Heat, Nice Cancellation and the Challenge Roth Showdown

Send us Fan MailThis week on Another Triathlon Podcast, Jenna-Caer (@jennacaer), Josh (@joshmvernon) and Fede (@fedemultisport) catch up on training, racing, World Cup energy, Tour de France excitement and a very strange weekend in long-course triathlon.Josh recaps his local triathlon turned duathlon, including a fogged-out swim, a hard run-bike-run effort, and another year of lowering his time on a familiar course. Jenna-Caer shares stories from Montreal after catching up with Alberto Contador and checking out the expansion of his bike brand, Aurum.From there, the crew dives into a chaotic race weekend, including the cancellation of Ironman 70.3 Nice due to extreme heat, the shortened Ironman Frankfurt format, and the debate around how shortened races should count toward Kona qualification and Ironman Pro Series points.The episode wraps with a full preview of Challenge Roth, where Kat Matthews and Lucy Charles-Barclay headline the women’s race, and Kristian Blummenfelt, Sam Laidlow, Jonas Schomburg, Patrick Lange, Rico Bogen and Magnus Ditlev make the men’s race one of the most exciting full-distance matchups of the season.Highlights• Fede’s World Cup fever in Mexico City• Josh’s annual race turning into a duathlon• What it feels like to bike hard after running hard• Jenna-Caer’s trip to Montreal with Alberto Contador and Aurum Bikes• Ironman 70.3 Nice being cancelled due to extreme heat• The tragic accident following the cancelled Nice race weekend• Ironman Frankfurt being shortened to a full swim, 125K bike and half marathon run• Casper Stornes and Gustav Iden making another Norwegian statement• Magnus Ditlev securing his Kona slot and backing up at Challenge Roth• Jamie Riddle’s swim cap fin and wrong-bag moment in T2• Whether shortened races should receive full Pro Series points• Kona qualification and Ironman Pro Series ranking movement• Challenge Roth women’s preview with Kat Matthews and Lucy Charles-Barclay• Challenge Roth men’s preview with Kristian Blummenfelt, Sam Laidlow, Jonas Schomburg, Patrick Lange and Rico Bogen• The possibility of fast times and record attempts at Roth• How Roth shapes the conversation heading toward KonaRace BreakdownIronman 70.3 Nice CancellationThe weekend started with the cancellation of Ironman 70.3 Nice due to the extreme heatwave in Europe. The decision came from local authorities, with concerns around medical support, infrastructure, volunteers, athletes and the broader pressure already being placed on the region.The cancellation was frustrating for athletes, especially age groupers who had travelled and trained for the event, but the crew also discussed the wider safety picture and how race-day decisions become much bigger than just the athletes on the start line.Ironman FrankfurtIronman Frankfurt still went ahead, but in a shortened format because of the heat. The swim stayed the full distance, the bike was cut to 125K, and the run became a half marathon.The swim was non-wetsuit and extremely warm, which kept a large group together early. On the bike, Nathan Guerbeur took the race on from the front, while the Norwegians stayed controlled and positioned themselves well for the run.Once onto the run, Casper Stornes took over and looked strong in the heat, with Gustav Iden also moving through for a major result. The race created big changes in the men’s Ironman Pro Series standings and brought up a bigger question: should shortened races count the same when it comes to Pro Series points and Kona slots?Challenge Roth PreviewChallenge Roth is shaping up to be one of the biggest races of the season.On the women’s side, Kat Matthews and Lucy Charles-Barclay give the race a completely different dynamic. Lucy brings the front-end swim and bike pressure, while Kat has been running incredibly well and looks ready to chase from behind. Daisy Davies, Fenella Langridge and Alana Seifert also add depth and could shape the race early.On the men’s side, Kristian Blummenfelt enters as one of the biggest names to watch, but he’ll have serious company. Sam Laidlow, Jonas Schomburg, Patrick Lange, Rico Bogen and Magnus Ditlev all bring different strengths, which could make the swim-bike dynamics very interesting before the marathon decides the race.Quickfire Q&ABiggest race-weekend shock?Ironman 70.3 Nice being cancelled due to extreme heat and local safety concerns.Strangest race format?Ironman Frankfurt becoming a full swim, 125K bike and half marathon run.Biggest Frankfurt question?How much should a shortened race count toward Pro Series points and Kona qualification?Most unexpected gear moment?Jamie Riddle racing with the swim cap fin setup and then grabbing the wrong run bag in T2.Biggest Roth storyline?Kat Matthews vs Lucy Charles-Barclay on the women’s side, and Kristian Blummenfelt testing himself against a stacked men’s field.Follow the show📸 @anothertriathlonpodcastHost, Jenna-Caer Seefried, @jennacaerJosh, @joshmvernonFede, @fedemultisportPresented by @maunaapparelSupport the showStay connected with us! 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