German Para triathlon trio take on Challenge Roth

Paralympic champion Martin Schulz and two fellow German teammates will join forces to form the first-ever Para triathlon relay team at the DATEV Challenge Roth, one of the biggest, most well-known triathlon events in Europe.

The trio will take on their home course on Sunday (9 July), beginning with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike race and then 42km run – equivalent to an Ironman Triathlon course.

Rio 2016 gold medallist Schulz is coming off a European Championship title in the men’s PTS5 last month in Austria, and will be joined by Stefan Losler (world champion in cross Para triathlon 2014) and Simon Ganger (2016 German champion in the then-PT3 class).

"There was been never such a Para triathlon season in Roth,” Schulz said. “This will not only be a very special experience for us. My goal is to swim in the front. Who knows, maybe I'll be one of the first season swimmers out of the water.”

Schulz will kick off with the swimming portion, Losler the cycling and Ganger will take it home with the running segment. They will compete under TEAM SPORT FOR GOOD, placing their sporting commitment of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

"Our coach, Tom Kosmehl, prepares us optimally for the race in Roth,” said Losler, a multiple International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup winner. “I am especially looking forward to the legendary atmosphere on the bike route. We cannot wait to get going."

Gager added: "I am delighted to be part of the Para triathlon season. The fact that we are launching the Laureus TEAM SPORT FOR GOOD is a great honour for us, and I hope that with this ‘special’ team we will encourage and move many people.”

More information on the Challenge Roth can be found on the German Triathlon Union’s website.