Former world champion vs. reigning vice world champion is the duel at Challenge Mogan - Gran Canaria: Patrick Lange and Sam Laidlow contest their season opener over the middle distance on the Canary Island. However, the two face stiff competition.
Swim Start | Photo: Team Challenge / James Mitchell
In recent years, Challenge Mogan has evolved into a high profile racing format to kick off the European season. The list of top athletes is constantly growing. So far reported:
Men: Patrick Lange, Sam Laidlow, Florian Angert, Ruben Zepuntke, Andreas Dreitz, Aaron Royle, Pablo Dapena Gonzalez, Youri Keulen, Evert Scheltinga, Jan Stratmann.
Women: Ruth Astle, Svenja Thoes, Diede Diederiks, India Lee, Alexandra Tondeur, Elisabetta Curridori, Kate Curran, Charlene Clavel, Margie Santimaria, Camille Deligny, Lina-Kristin Schink.
Last year's winner Mika Noodt | Photo: Team Challenge / James Mitchell
For the men, most eyes will be on Sam Laidlow. The young Frenchman - Vice World Champion in Hawaii and last year's newcomer - is going into the race as a favourite. He also has a score to settle here: two years ago he fell while cycling and now he wants to reverse that disappointment with a win.
But the German professionals in particular have something against it - above all Patrick Lange. After his strong victory at Ironman Israel at the end of 2022, the ex-world champion wants to build on this result at the start of the new season. Also with ambitions to win: Florian Angert. He's a fixture in Gran Canaria every year, always riding strong in front and not afraid of big names.
There are also a few other candidates who could make the race interesting. The young Dutchman Youri Keulen had his international breakthrough last year and is on the way up. His compatriot Evert Scheltinga is also at the start. Scheltinga is the fastest Dutchman over the long distance and an experienced professional. Germany's Jan Stratmann, Ruben Zepuntke and Andreas Dreitz have all shown themselves capable of world-class performances, with Dreitz being the most experienced athlete among them. And let's not forget Jonathan Wayaffe of Belgium, who ended his 2022 season with a career-best win at the Challenge Peguera-Mallorca in October.
Last year's winner on the running track: Sara Perez Sala | Photo: Team Challenge / James Mitchell
An exciting fight will also develop in the women's category, although there is a clearer favorite here: Ruth Astle. The Brit will go all-in for the win, but at the same time Diede Diederiks, Alexandra Tondeur, Svenja Thoes, India Lee and Elisabetta Curridori will do the same. The women will make it as difficult as possible for each other in the fight to win the Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria. The same applies to Kate Curran, Charlene Clavel, Margie Santimaria, Camille Deligny and Lina-Kristin Schink: Even if they are not considered the biggest favourites, they are all women with the necessary experience at the highest triathlon level and know exactly what it takes to win this race.
The Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria will take place on Saturday April 22 with the Pro start at 8:00 am. Live stream (Spanish and English) available at www.challenge-family.live
