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Triathlon world record smashed at Zwift Battle Royale

The triathlon long-distance record has been smashed by the winner of an ultimate head-to-head race between current record holder, Jan Frodeno and Ironman champion, Lionel Sanders. Here's how it all went down...

Fotograf: Jörn Pollex Fotograf: Jörn Pollex Fotograf: Jörn Pollex

Kate Milsom

Published: July 19, 2021 at 4:58 pm

On Sunday 18 July at 8:30am CEST (Central European Time) local time, history was made at the Zwift Tri Battle Royale. World-record holder in full-distance triathlon, Jan Frodeno took on top Ironman pro, Lionel Sanders in a bid to smash the world record and prove once and for all who is the long-distance king of triathlon.

Two of the world’s fastest triathletes competed against each other in full-distance ironman to see who is the ultimate fastest. The intense head-to-head took place on roads of southern Germany, Allgäu.

With both athletes claiming their largest weaknesses to be the swim and with only 10 minutes separating their all-time personal bests, it was set to be a close battle between the champions.

Let’s see how they got on…

The course

The setting of the race in the Allgau Valley, southern Germany.

The 226km race is set in the beautiful Allgäu Valley in southern Germany, nestled by the foot of the German Alps.

Starting with a 3.8km swim in Immenstadt’s freshwater lake, Großer Alpsee, the two competitors must complete four laps along a marked loop; sighting is aided with underwater ropes around soft corners, leading the swimmers along the tightest route.

Out the water, the racers jump on their Canyon TT bikes and head out for 180km of racing along Allgäu Valley floor, which is sheltered mercifully from the brunt of the wind. The stunning bike course travels from Allgäu to Burgberg, with a flat five laps along the river en route.

The marathon finale involves four 10.55km laps of an out-and-back loop around the mountain town of Burgberg. The course boasts almost no elevation gain, giving the racers no excuses to push themselves to the limit on this final stretch.

Meet the racers

JAN FRODENO

The 39-year-old German triathlete is the current world record holder with a staggering time of 7:35:39 for the full-distance triathlon. He’s also reigning Kona champion and 2008 Olympic gold medallist.

LIONEL SANDERS

Multiple Ironman champion and 2017 ITU long-distance Champion, 33-year-old Lionel Sanders is also a seasoned pro when it comes to going the distance. The Canadian

And the winner is…

Jan Frodeno breaks his own world record by over seven minutes with a time of 7:27:53. That's a swift 45:58 swim, 3:55:22 bike, and 2:44:21 run.

Lionel Sanders comes second with a new personal record of 7:43:32. That's 50:58 for the swim, 4:00:26 for the bike, and 2:50:31 for the marathon.

The two pros warm up at the pre-event Zwift press conference.
Jan prepares his hydration strategy head of the big race.
Fine-tuning those last niggles before the big race, it's relax-mode for Jan.
The two champs share a quick embrace before the start gun sounds.
And they're off...
Sanders chases down Jan during the four swim laps in the freshwater Großer Alpsee lake.
First out the water, Jan wrestles with his wetsuit.
Sanders pulls down his wetsuit, already mentally preparing for the long bike ahead.
Jumping on his Canyon Speedmax, Jan jets off to start the 180km bike leg.
Hydration is key! Jan reaches for a water bottle from his support crew mid-bike leg.
The heavens open on our racers, but an ever-aero Sanders hunkers down for the long-haul.
Whipping around the purpose-made turn-around point, Sanders pedals after Jan.
Jumping off the bike, Jan loosens the muscles ready to start the final marathon.
Says it all, both men racing at the peak of human endurance. Both champions.
A sneaky re-fuel mid-run from Lionel as he continues chasing down Jan.
Worthy of applause, second-place Lionel has completed the race of his life and set a new PR.
The world record is smashed by Jan Frodeno by over seven minutes, it's a moment in history.
16 minutes later, Lionel staggers across the line.
The two pros mess about on the finish podium. There are no losers here.
The moment an exhausted Jan realises he's smashed his own world record.

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The world-record breaking kit…

Canyon Speedmax CF SLX 8 DISC Di2

Lionel Sanders shows off his personalised Canyon Speedmax ahead of the Zwift Battle Royale.
  • From £8,449.00

With personalised colourways of green and white, the two pros raced around the 180km bike course on their tri-optimised Canyon. Weighting in at just 9.38kg, the radical deep profile bike is customised with deep rim HED wheels, SRAM gearset and electronic gearing.

Topeak back bottle rack

  • £27.99

To maintain that aero profile, the svelte TT bikes are fitted with easy-access back bottle racks like the lightweight Topeak Tri-cage Carbon.

Oakley ARO7 Helmet

  • £425.00

Hoka One One Rocket X

  • £140

Wahoo Elemnt Rival multisport watch

Credit: Wahoo

Thanks to tri-battle.com for images

Kate Milsom

Freelance sports journalist

Kate Milsom is 220 Triathlon's former staff writer. She's a keen endurance triathlete, marathon runner, and bikepacker and her interests include cycling, nutrition and sports injury. Having previously bikepacked across Europe solo, Kate advocates for adventure and inclusivity within sport.
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