Two-time winner Normann Stadler returns to Hawaii
German athlete Normann Stadler is a true legend in the world of triathlon. The athlete from Baden-Württemberg won the world-famous Ironman Hawaii in 2004 and 2006. A few years later, he was confronted with heart problems that ultimately brought an end to his professional career. Twenty years after winning his last world title, he now wants to return to Kona, where he experienced the greatest moments of his career. To mark this new chapter, he is entering into a fitting partnership with Ridley.
Stadler was born in Wertheim in 1973. He seemed destined for elite sport from an early age. At just eleven years old, he completed a marathon, and ten years later he became the youngest Duathlon World Champion in Australia. Even then, his ultimate goal was already on his mind: the legendary Ironman, the race that would come to define his career.
The Norminator won twice in Hawaii. In between, in 2005, he was forced to abandon the race after suffering three punctures and a bee sting. With tears streaming down his face, that edition also became unforgettable. During that period, Stadler was known as a relentless trainer. "Do you know the famous extra mile? It's that little bit extra that makes all the difference. My relentless training regime had only one goal: victory. My passion is cycling. I am especially proud of my bike course record at the 2006 Ironman Hawaii (4:18:23). I held that course record for 11 years until it was finally broken in 2017."
Stadler was born in Wertheim in 1973. He seemed destined for elite sport from an early age. At just eleven years old, he completed a marathon, and ten years later he became the youngest Duathlon World Champion in Australia. Even then, his ultimate goal was already on his mind: the legendary Ironman, the race that would come to define his career.
The Norminator won twice in Hawaii. In between, in 2005, he was forced to abandon the race after suffering three punctures and a bee sting. With tears streaming down his face, that edition also became unforgettable. During that period, Stadler was known as a relentless trainer. "Do you know the famous extra mile? It's that little bit extra that makes all the difference. My relentless training regime had only one goal: victory. My passion is cycling. I am especially proud of my bike course record at the 2006 Ironman Hawaii (4:18:23). I held that course record for 11 years until it was finally broken in 2017."
Heart problems
The three-time world champion (including his Duathlon World Championship title) pushed his body to the limit for many years. Following an intense period of training, he suffered a near-fatal collapse in 2011. The diagnosis was devastating: a 6.8 cm aortic aneurysm and a defective aortic valve. In other words, the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body had become dangerously enlarged. In addition, the valve at the beginning of the aorta was no longer functioning properly. Without treatment, the condition could have become life-threatening. Stadler required emergency surgery and was admitted to the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital. Doctors operated on him for five hours, and fortunately he woke up in good health.
Stadler's career as a professional athlete was over, but his heart still beat for triathlon, and especially for cycling. Earlier this year, The Norminator expressed his ambition to return to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, this time as an age grouper. Ridley's Brand & Sales Manager Triathlon, Kenneth Vandendriessche, has always looked up to Stadler as an inspiration and has now convinced him to begin this new chapter with Ridley: "Normann's ambition is no longer to compete for another world title, but to come full circle and return to the place where he built much of his remarkable career. His bike course record remains iconic, and even the current record holder, Sam Laidlow, has spoken about it with great respect. We have several exciting projects planned with Normann and are proud to be working with such a triathlon legend."
Stadler's career as a professional athlete was over, but his heart still beat for triathlon, and especially for cycling. Earlier this year, The Norminator expressed his ambition to return to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, this time as an age grouper. Ridley's Brand & Sales Manager Triathlon, Kenneth Vandendriessche, has always looked up to Stadler as an inspiration and has now convinced him to begin this new chapter with Ridley: "Normann's ambition is no longer to compete for another world title, but to come full circle and return to the place where he built much of his remarkable career. His bike course record remains iconic, and even the current record holder, Sam Laidlow, has spoken about it with great respect. We have several exciting projects planned with Normann and are proud to be working with such a triathlon legend."
Triton Fast
Tailored to every triathleteWhether you’re speeding down long, straight roads or tackling sharp, winding courses, the Triton Fast is your perfect partner to achieve your best results in any triathlon. Thanks to its progressive geometry, longer reach, and taller head tube, you can stay in your aero position longer with unmatched stability and control. With the flip chips in the fork, you can fine-tune the bike’s handling to any course. From flat, fast stretches to technical, twisty routes, the Triton Fast can handle it all. Leveraging the advanced aero technology of the Noah Fast 3.0, we’ve made the Triton Fast the fastest bike in the peloton.
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