Around 2,000 athletes will start on July 31st at the first edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 DRESDEN. Above all, the short-term change in the bike course, which should contain some technically demanding, sometimes dangerous passages, causes disagreement among the athletes. But even this new route could not be the final version of the competition route. There is confusion.
What happened?
In September 2021, the IRONMAN 70.3 DRESDEN was announced as the third 70.3 event in Germany (alongside Kraichgau, Duisburg). Above all, the picturesque route through the Saxon baroque landscape and along the Elbe Cycle Path should provide an impressive scenic backdrop to the race. About 800 meters in altitude made the 90-kilometer loop quite demanding.
Four weeks before the competition , ie in early July, the route was changed on the event's website as the planned route was not approved by the authorities. This approach turned out to be problematic:
Firstly, the organizers did not initially inform the participants who had already registered about the change. The new route map was replaced on the website without comment, individual athletes discovered the new route profile by chance and shared it, above all via social networks. The adjustment of the bike course was only communicated when asked to "take account of the subsequently revised approval requirements of the local authorities". In fact, the official testing and approval process was delayed for a very long time and led to a late adjustment of the planned route.
Second: the new route, as currently (as of July 18, 2022) shown and described on the event website, is technically much more demanding and in some cases offers considerable potential for danger.
Source: Ironman.com/im703-dresden-course
Athletes from a local triathlon club (Moritzburg Triathlon Club) took on the new lap and found difficult descents, curves and damage to the ground along the route. Conclusion: "The track is very demanding and sometimes also borderline. We hope that Ironman track marshals who know what they are doing and what a triathlon is. If you don't know the track, you shouldn't try to be fast. The track can only be driven with foresight. That's why we strongly advise you to drive the route beforehand."
You can find a detailed description of the danger spots on this > Facebook profile
Steep climbs and descents, tight curves at high speed, unpaved road sections and construction sites not only make the route technically demanding, but also dangerous in places. The detailed presentation of these potential danger spots led to angry discussions and comments on social networks.
Third: This route has not yet been finally approved by the authorities.
The potential danger is too great, the restrictions due to the closures for traffic and residents too high. The Athlete Guide, which has not yet been published , also suggests that organizers and authorities are still working behind the scenes on a route that does justice to the race and the athletes.
We keep our fingers crossed for everyone involved for a beautiful, challenging and safe route that will make the first IRONMAN 70.3 DRESDEN a great experience for all athletes. We will keep you up to date.
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1 comment
SJ
Nun wohl noch eine neue Strecke. Gar keine Höhenmeter mehr und im wesentlichen ohne Kurven wie es aussieht. Das ist eine sehr eigenwillige Vorgehensweise des Veranstalters.