Duel between the world's best: Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Jan Frodeno set to compete against long-time rival Lionel Sanders

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Jan Frodeno is taking on a special kind of challenge at the 'Zwift Tri Battle Royale' in the Allgäu region of Germany

• On 18 July #janfrodeno will go up against top triathlete #lionelsanders from Canada
• The German #triathlon world record holder is aiming for a new personal best
• Mercedes-EQ is supporting the athletes in Immenstadt, Allgäu as #mobility partner

Stuttgart. Seeking an extreme challenge: three-time Ironman® World Champion #janfrodeno has been a #MercedesBenz brand ambassador since 2016 and holds the #triathlon world record of 07:35:39 hours. He achieved this time in the long-distance #triathlon at Roth in Middle Franconia in 2016. On 18 July, he will line up against long-time rival #lionelsanders from Canada in the unique 'Zwift Tri Battle Royale' at Immenstadt in the Allgäu region. The top triathlete is challenging his German counterpart to a duel. No easy task for Frodeno. Because Sanders is himself a multiple Ironman® winner and an ever-present among the world's top long-distance athletes. The world record of 07:35:39 hours set by Frodeno in 2016 is therefore severely under threat in this battle of one man against another - making it not only a duel between top triathletes, but also a race against the clock.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge Lionel poses and couldn't be better prepared for it. With the 'Zwift Tri Battle Royale' I have set myself another ambitious goal ahead of lining up for the Hawaii #triathlon in October," #janfrodeno reveals. The two triathletes will go head to head in a 3.86 km swim in the 'Großer Alpsee' lake, a 180 km cycle route along the B19 road around Immenstadt and a 42.2 km run. The starting signal will sound at 9 a.m. on the stage at the lake.

Triathlon world record attempt supported by Mercedes-EQ

Jan Frodeno will be backed by a fleet of vehicles from Mercedes-EQ, as the brand is supporting this battle between the two triathletes as a #mobility partner: "Mercedes-Benz and #janfrodeno are united by the will to achieve top performance, and by the curiosity to see what is possible. It is therefore important for us to support Jan in his courageous and impressive sporting challenges. We wish him every success in the contest," says Bettina Fetzer, Head of Communications and Marketing at #MercedesBenz AG.

The German triathlete is equally happy about this support: "The fact that such a great event is possible at all is also thanks to my long-time sponsor #MercedesBenz," says Frodeno.

The car manufacturer will be accompanying the race with a fleet of Mercedes-EQ all-electric support vehicles. The locally emission-free vehicles are ideal companions for the athletes due to their quiet operation and dynamic driving style.

Follow the action live and cycle along virtually

Experts will follow the contest as on-the-scene reporters from the Mercedes-EQ vehicles, commentating on the event and the athletes' performance live from the course.

The Mercedes-EQ vehicles will also be playing another role: spectators can support both world-class athletes by sending them motivational messages using the hashtag #TriBattle. These messages will be shown next to the race time on the LED displays atop the vehicles.

Spectators worldwide can follow the rivals during the race via the Livestream on tri-battle.com. For the first time, the athletes will also share their performance data such as wattage, heart rate and speed in real time throughout the entire race. In addition, the duel is being broadcast by numerous TV media outlets worldwide.

Jan Frodeno has set himself an ambitious goal with this event. But that's exactly why this top sportsman has been among the world's best triathletes for years - because he always sets himself new targets and takes on special challenges. In Jan Frodeno's eyes, the duel with #lionelsanders is also the best preparation for the #triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where he will compete as the defending champion in October.

To the event livestream on 18/07/2021: tri-battle.com