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Ironman Hamburg – Jan Frodeno: “I saw the bike shatter into 1000 parts”

Triathlon Death at the Ironman

“I saw the bike shatter into 1000 pieces”

Status: 10:02 p.m

At the end of his strength: Jan Frodeno at the finish of the Ironman Hamburg on Sunday afternoon

At the end of his strength: Jan Frodeno at the finish of the Ironman Hamburg on Sunday afternoon

Quelle: Getty Images for Ironman/Alexander Koerner

At the Ironman Hamburg there is a serious accident, a 70-year-old man dies. The race will still continue. Superstar Jan Frodeno experienced the seconds afterwards live on site. He only finds out about the consequences when he reaches the finish line.

KPhysically completely exhausted, but above all stunned by what was happening, Jan Frodeno was looking for the right words at the finish of the Ironman Hamburg. The 41-year-old superstar of the scene had just finished the race in fourth place, staggered slightly and at the end of his strength after 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling and the marathon, he crossed the finish line.

However, the sport was unimportant in these moments, because a deadly drama had unfolded on the track during the race: at around 8.45 a.m. a British amateur athlete and a support motorcycle collided. The 70-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene of the accident, the 26-year-old triathlete was seriously injured. The cameraman, who was sitting backwards on the motorcycle, suffered a shock and was taken to a hospital like the participant.

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The race continued despite the disaster. Frenchman Denis Chevrot won ahead of Belgian Pieter Heermeryck and Denmark’s Kristian Hogenhaug. Frodeno finished 5:18 minutes after Chevrot. He then spoke in the mixed zone at Hamburg City Hall.

Ask: Mr. Frodeno, from your point of view, how was it on the track today?

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Jan Frodeno: It was so messy. (Frodeno has to take a break.) It was so awesome. (He struggles for the right words.) I just heard that the motorcyclist passed away and … I really don’t have to say more about it. I was right next to it and saw the bike shatter into what felt like a 1000 pieces. I saw the cyclist in front of me, and I just walked around, I was like, ‘Oh damn.’ I turned around, then saw the motorcyclist on the ground and I thought, ‘This can’t be good.’ Then I heard in between that they were revived. With something like that, everything else is second, third, fifth. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

The triathletes meet on large parts of the route

The triathletes meet on large parts of the route

Source: dpa/Georg Wendt

Ask: It was known that the bike course is in the opposite direction. Motorcyclists and triathletes together on such narrow streets – doesn’t there have to be a different regulation?

Frodino: It might not be the right time to criticize, but I told a judge maybe 15 kilometers before that it didn’t end well. From a purely sporting point of view, it wasn’t fair because the motorcycles were just too close. They rode in a group. It was an utter farce. And then with the oncoming traffic. As I said, I didn’t see the accident directly because my head was down. But it was just so incredibly narrow, there are no motorbikes allowed. I know it needs media coverage, but athlete safety and that of the volunteers must be paramount.

Ask: What was going through your mind as you ran?

Frodino: I didn’t know, I just found out at the finish. I could read the mood on their faces a bit, but I didn’t know what was going on. For me it was also the absolute maximum effort in terms of sport, in between I wasn’t sure if I would still make it to the finish. At this point, however, praise and congratulations go to the top three.

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