35th Powerman Zofingen. The biggest Swiss medallist Jens Gossauer. The 2024 World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will be held at the 35th Powerman Zofingen on 8 September 2024. Jens Gossauer has the best chance of winning a world championship medal among the Swiss men. The soon-to-be 31-year-old from eastern Switzerland has already been runner-up twice in Zofingen, in 2019 and 2021.
The 35th Powerman Zofingen is scheduled for 7/8 September 2024. The 10 km run, 150 km bike ride and another 30 km run in and around Zofingen are the toughest but also most beautiful duathlon in the world. After 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, organising this event for the 16th time as a world championship, not to mention for the 13th time in a row, at the same location is unique for the sport of triathlon and duathlon.
Level constantly rising
From a national perspective, Jens Gossauer is the Swiss' most promising trump card. «I want to be in top form at the start so that I can be among the front runners», says the Davos-born St. Gallen native, who turns 31 on 17 August. All good things come in threes, as the old saying goes. Whether a third 2nd place after 2019 and 2021 would be a success or a stagnation depends on how the race goes. «In 2019, I had the race of my life and was extremely happy with 2nd place. In 2021, I had the form to win, but had various problems along the way. So I had rather mixed feelings», says Gossauer, a physiotherapist by profession. «So if I can give it my all this year and finish second, then I'll be very happy. Especially as the standard has steadily and extremely risen in recent years.» When asked about the battle for the World Championship podium, Gossauer says: «I'm primarily looking at myself.» He cannot influence how strong the competition will be. «But in addition to the usual suspects, I'm also reckoning with two or three new faces who will be among the front runners.»
The form is right
If he manages to get into a «flow», then he is mentally unbreakable. That is certainly his general strength. «You have to be a complete athlete for the Zofingen course», says Gossauer. He has adapted his bike training accordingly. «While I've been particularly strong on the bike on the mountain in recent years, I no longer have to hide from anyone on the flat either. I can certainly make the difference when running uphill and downhill, the flat is less my thing.» The Swiss duathlete of the year 2019 is very satisfied with his season so far. «Apart from the European Championships, I've been able to deliver in every race so far, I've been Swiss champion twice and won two more duathlons. My progress on the bike in particular makes me feel positive about Zofingen.»
Dream of victory
The Powerman Zofingen is once again the most important race in Gossauer's calendar this year. «Ever since I first came into contact with the sport of duathlon in 2018, I've dreamed of winning this epic race.» And if this coup were to succeed on 8 September, he would have no special wish to fulfil as a newly crowned world champion. «I've never had to do without anything. That's why there's nothing I wouldn't treat myself to otherwise.» However, the member of the Swiss Duathlon national squad adds: «Maybe I would think about retiring after a victory in Zofingen.» But the St. Gallen native does have one wish: «It would be great if the Zofingen organisers manage to get as large and strong an elite field as possible at the start.»
Text: Raphael Galliker
Registration for the 35th Powerman Zofingen and more information at:
Caption:
In typical Zofingen weather, Jens Gossauer from Eastern Switzerland was runner-up in the Powerman Duathlon long distance for the second time in 2021. Photo: Manuel Geisser
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