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American to compete in DATEV Challenge Roth for the first time

With Ben Hoffman, the DATEV Challenge Roth team announces another debutant and prominent name for the 2026 professional field. The 42-year-old American has been one of the defining personalities on the international long-distance scene for many years and will compete at the Home of Triathlon for the first time on 5 July.

Hoffman is one of the most experienced athletes in the field. For more than a decade, he was an integral part of the world's elite and celebrated numerous successes in long-distance events. In 2014, he finished second at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, and in 2016 and 2019 he finished fourth there. He has also won a total of eight Ironman races, including Ironman South Africa several times.

For him, it is not so much the placing that is important in Roth, but rather the experience of a race that has accompanied him since the beginning of his career: “I am thrilled to finally be toeing the line at one of triathlon's most iconic events. Roth has been a dream of mine since I started triathlon, but it turns out it hasn't come true until closer to my finish. I am not coming to race for the win, but rather to have an unforgettable experience alongside so many other incredible athletes, and to begin closing a chapter in my racing story.”

The American is particularly looking forward to the legendary atmosphere along the course: “I have never heard anything but incredible stories from the European nexus of long course triathlon. From the awe-inspiring crowds on the Solarer Berg, to the athlete-centric amenities throughout the weekend, I am sure that this will be an instant favourite and a memory I cherish for the rest of my life.”

Roth will certainly do everything it can to give Hoffman an exhilarating debut.