Darmstadt drama at the Ironman Frankfurt: While Paul Schuster narrowly missed the podium when Denis Chevrot won, Daniela Bleymehl had to struggle with problems for a long time – and struggle to achieve her triumph.
Frenchman Denis Chevrot is Ironman European Champion 2022. The 34-year-old triathlete secured the title in Frankfurt on Sunday after 7:52:54 hours. In doing so, he relegated Robert Wilkowiecki from Poland (+ 3:38 minutes) and Clément Mignon (France/+ 5:49) to second and third place.
Fourth and thus the best German was Paul Schuster from Darmstadt. The local hero from southern Hesse finished his home race 6:18 minutes behind Chevrot and caused enthusiasm among the many fans along the route in and around Frankfurt and in Wetterau.
The fact that Schuster only just missed third place and the podium didn’t change that. The 33-year-old was already in the leading group after the swim and came out of the water just 25 seconds behind. Schuster even took the lead on the running track when he benefited from a time penalty for illegal coaching against Chevrot.
Schuster pushed off the podium late at the Ironman
However, the closer the pros came to the goal on the Frankfurt Römerberg, the better the two Frenchmen and Wilkowiecki presented themselves compared to Schuster. Chevrot even set a new best time for the run with 2:38:45 hours. But particularly bitter: Schuster was only overtaken by Mignon two kilometers before the finish line and relegated to fourth place.
“I would have taken that before the race. But if you’re in front and fourth, then of course it’s bitter,” said the Darmstadt native. “I took a risk and ended up flat out. The support on the track was incredible. I’ve never heard my name so often.”
With his fourth place, Schuster nevertheless ensured the best Hessian result at the Ironman Frankfurt since 2018. At that time, two-time world champion Patrick Lange from Bad Wildungen (Waldeck-Frankenberg) was third.
Darmstadt Bleymehl wins in Frankfurt
For women, on the other hand, there was a South Hessian success “made in Darmstadt” to celebrate: Daniela Bleymehl decided the professional race, which had to make do with only six starters, not least because of cancellations due to corona, deservedly won.
Completely exhausted and marked by the exertions of the day, the top favorite crossed the finish line in 9:02:55 hours. On the way, when the Römerberg was still far away, she called out to an hr reporter that she was struggling with health problems. She was nauseous and didn’t know if she could pull through, she said.
Bleymehl forgets cycling shoes – and fights
Before the start, the 33-year-old, who from then on had to struggle to win, forgot her cycling shoes at home. Her husband then drove home quickly and brought the missing equipment to the transition area at the Waldsee in good time.
Briton Nikki Bartlett finished behind Bleymehl, 2:26 minutes behind. Third was Dimity-Lee Duke from Australia (+ 13:51). Carolin Lehrieder – meanwhile in the lead – had to abandon the race after a breakdown on the bike course.
More than 3,000 participants at the Ironman
The Ironman Frankfurt is a long-distance triathlon: 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 182 kilometers of cycling, and a marathon (42.195 kilometers) at the end. The starting signal was fired early in the morning at the Langener Waldsee, with around 3,000 athletes in numerous age groups making up the majority of the starting field every year.
