Formula One star Nico Rosberg races Kitzbühel tri
German racing superstar takes part in the Olympic-distance age-group event at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Kitzbühel, finishing in an impressive time of 2:07:33
Many competitors at the age-group race of Saturday’s Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Kitzbühel were surprised to find themselves lined up alongside Formula One racing star Nico Rosberg of Germany. The 25-year-old German demonstrated that he has athletic talents outside of the race car as well, finishing the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in an impressive time of 2:07:33.
“My parents have a home nearby in Zell, so I decided to come over to Kitzbühel and compete,” Rosberg said. “It was a great event-very tough, but I had a lot of fun.”
Rosberg had a slight scare at the end of the cycle portion of the race, when he removed his helmet too early and was threatened with a disqualification by the race referee. Fortunately for Rosberg and the hundreds of fans who came to cheer him on, he was only given a warning and was able to continue onto the run course.
Rosberg’s friend and trainer Daniel Schlosser was very pleased with the driver’s performance.
“He is a world-class sportsman all around,” Schlosser said. “He is a true fighter and it was great to see him go until he almost collapsed today.”
Rosberg admitted to being truly exhausted at the finish.
“I had absolutely no energy left at the end of the race,” Rosberg said. “I am very impressed by the people who do this.”
Also competing in the Olympic-distance race was former pro cyclist Jörg Jaksche, who used a powerful bike and run combination to come in sixth place overall with a time of 1:54:38.
“The swim was tough-I had to do breaststroke to the first buoy,” Jaksche said. “But in the cycling and running everything went perfect.”
Photo credit: Walter Rief
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
