PTO Championship Pro press conference: 'Let's not make it a gunfight, but a nuclear war'

Friday 04 December 2020

With what is going to be most likely the most spectacular pro field ever seen in a Middle Distance race, tension is growing every day at Challenge Daytona. The PTO 2020 Championship (2-80-18) will take place upcoming Sunday and some of the most interesting pro athletes just came together already during the pro press conference. Most favourite athlete Alistair Brownlee was very clear: "I think this distance is the most interesting format because it brings best long and short distance athletes together."

The British two time and current Olympic Champion is more than ready for the PTO 2020 Championship and is looking forward to a race he calls 'very interesting'. "After all the preparations for this race, of course we've all come here for victory. This is the most significant triathlon event of the year. I'm very lucky that I was able to achieve more than I've ever dreamed of, but I didn't manage yet winning an important longer distance race already. This would be a perfect moment to do so." 

Sebastian Kienle: 'I've heard so very often that short course athletes will smoke longer distance athletes, but it never did happen'

For German Sebastian Kienle indeed Brownlee counts as the most favourite athlete around. "He brings the short course speed and knows how it is to ride his TT bike for over 1:30 hours. I'll try to find a way to place a bet on him so that I still will earn some money on Sunday", he said laughing. "It's too bad both World Champions decided not to start here when they saw this amazing pro field. I'm very happy and I think I can speak for every athlete that we have the opportunity to race here under these circumstances. We all know what responsibly comes with that and for what I've seen so far, everybody is very responsible. I've heard so very often that the short course athletes will smoke the longer distance athletes, but it never did happen. The only way to make this race interesting is to don't make it a gunfight, but make it a nuclear war."

Vincent Luis: 'A good way to make some money for Christmas'
Also Frenchman Vincent Luis counts as one of the favourites for victory. "I thought this was a good way to make some money for Christmas", he joked. "I just want to race a longer distance once. It's a totally different sport for me. This race will take me about 3:15 hours, so it isn't that long." Luis is pretty sure it's going to be a hard race nevertheless. "Alistair definitely is stronger on the long distance and we know each other for years. Still I'm confident of my run, so we'll see what is going to happen. I'm kind of an adrenaline junkie and I will enjoy every minute of the race."

Gustav Iden: 'Will see if I'm a one hit wonder'
Last but not least Norwegian Gustav Iden is someone to keep an eye on. "This year has been very difficult because of no race experiences and it's amazing to be here. It makes training a lot easier when you have something to aim for. We are training hard, racing hard and when we do everything right, results definitely will come. I'm not sure how I'll be able to win but hope I'm going to manage. I think tactics aren't playing such a big role as last year. We'll see if I'm good again or if I'm a 'one hit wonder'. "

Nicola Spirig: 'I've done a lot of Middle Distances and won the most of them'
Also the women’s race will have a world class pro field, including former Olympic Champion Nicola Spirig: "I'm preparing for my fifth Olympics and didn’t want a break in my training, so this race is very important for me. Racing is my true passion: I've done a lot of Middle Distances and won the most of them. To be honest I've won most of them on my regular road bike, but on this course I think it's better to go for my TT bike." 

Lisa Norden: 'This course suits me very well'
That's something also Swedish Lisa Norden is going for. "I think this course suits me very well because it's just straight and I love my aero position and indoor training. Last year I became third at Challenge Daytona while I was sick, so I hope to do even better now. Races like this, against the best athletes in the world, are the ones you learn most of."

Anne Haug: 'This race is important for anyone of us'
Anne Haug knows it's going to be an exciting race where all women will perform their best. "The pressure will be on. I'll do what I always do, prepare the best way I can and race as hard as possible. It's an open secret that my heart lies with the shorter distance because I like the speed in these races. Whatever happens, this PTO 2020 Championship is important for any of us." 

Sarah Crowley: 'I care about this race'
Sarah Crowley is quite nervous for the race already. "But that shows I care about this race. We've trained specifically for it because we know the short distance girls will be fast. I've done some loops on the track already and I loved it." 

About CHALLENGE FAMILY
CHALLENGE FAMILY is one of the fastest-growing global triathlon series. With almost 40 full and middle distances in 27 different countries, CHALLENGE FAMILY is changing the face of triathlon around the world. Due to spectacular courses in iconic destinations, no CHALLENGE FAMILY race is like another. Focusing on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities, CHALLENGE FAMILY races provide memorable experiences that capture all the excitement and emotions of this inspirational sport.

CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Himalayan Xtreme

Pokhara, Nepal

Grizzlyman Xtri

Beskydy, Czech Republic

Mediterranean Epic

Oropesa del Mar, Spain

Pirene Xtreme

Cellers, Lleida, Spain

FrenchMan

Carcans, France

AlpsMan

Annecy, France

Bastion Chateau de Chantilly

Chantilly Oise, France

Celtman

Torridon, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Ironman Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

Ironman Cairns

Cairns, Australia

Ironman Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria

Ironman Les Sables d Olonne

Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Ironman France

Nice, France

Ironman Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany

Challenge Mogan Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, Spain

Alpha Win Lake San Antonio

Lake San Antonio CA, United States

Cannes International

Cannes, France

Wildflower

Lake San Antonio CA, United States

Challenge Gallipoli

Gallipoli, Turkey

Busselton Tri Fest

Busselton, Australia

Kinetic Half

Lake Anna State Park VA, United States

Spirit Xtreme

Porto, Portugal

Triman Half

Olympic Beach, Greece

Challenge Cesenatico

Cesenatico, Italy

70.3 Peru

Lima, Peru

70.3 Valencia

Valencia, Spain

70.3 Cap Cana

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

70.3 Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

70.3 Venice jesolo

Venice Jesolo, Italy

70.3 Gulf Coast

Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

70.3 Mallorca

Mallorca, Spain

70.3 St. George

St. George Utah, United States

70.3 Vietnam

Da Nang, Viet Nam

70.3 Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN comes to New Mexico for the first time with new 70.3 Ruidoso New Mexico triathlon in 2026

IRONMAN comes to New Mexico for the first time with new 70.3 Ruidoso New Mexico triathlon in 2026

Wednesday 16 Apr 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN announced today that it will host the first IRONMAN® branded event in the state of New Mexico with the IRONMAN® 70.3® Ruidoso New Mexico triathlon. In addition, the new event will be a part of a festival weekend of racing, which will include the 5150® Ruidoso New Mexico triathlon and Ruidoso Sprint triathlon, and is scheduled to debut on July 11-12, 2026 in the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico. more

IRONMAN 70.3 Brasilia, Brazil Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 Brasilia, Brazil Pro Start List

Friday 11 Apr 2025 [Triathlon News]

The 2025 season is poised to make history! We begin in Brasília, the host city of the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 in Brazil. The Federal capital, strategically located in the heart of the nation, Brasília returns to the calendar with sky-high expectations. This edition promises elite-level competition and marks the long-awaited return of professional athletes to every IRONMAN race in Brazil. more

Hayden Wilde Wins T100 Singapore

Hayden Wilde Wins T100 Singapore

Sunday 06 Apr 2025 [Triathlon News]

Amid a stacked men’s field at the season-opening Singapore T100, Olympic silver medallist Hayden Wilde showed his mettle and fired a warning to his competitors. In what was his first T100 race, the New Zealander delivered a stunning performance. more

Lionel Sanders & Paula Findlay Claim a Canadian Sweep at 70.3 Oceanside

Lionel Sanders & Paula Findlay Claim a Canadian Sweep at 70.3 Oceanside

Sunday 06 Apr 2025 [Triathlon News]

Oceanside, Southern California’s triathlon hotbed, once again played host to the Athletic Brewing IRONMAN® 70.3® Oceanside and the third race in the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series™ on Saturday, April 5. Against a star-studded field featuring some of the top names in the sport, it was a set of Canadians in Lionel Sanders and Paula Findlay who claimed the titles with a finishing time of 3:47:01 and 4:16:50 respectively. more

Guisolan & boulanger Take Inaugural CHALLENGE Sir Bani Yas Titles

Guisolan & boulanger Take Inaugural CHALLENGE Sir Bani Yas Titles

Saturday 05 Apr 2025 [Triathlon News]

The inaugural Challenge Sir Bani Yas showcased some impressive performances from professional athletes with Jonathan Guisolan (SUI) and Aurelia Boulanger (FRA) securing decisive victories in the men’s and women’s pro races. The hot and challenging conditions on the cycling and running courses tested the athletes' endurance. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.