Michael Raelert wins the Ironman 70.3 2010 World Championships

The Raelert plot thickens, as the younger Michael decided not to start in the Ironman European Championships this Sunday.

On the brothers’ joint blog, Michael wrote that his training for the Ironman-distance debut has been going well, despite some pain in his hip area after harder workouts—a pain that would eventually go away. However, at his first start of the season at the Schwerin Castle Triathlon, the athlete reported that the pain came back the night after the race. After therapy and chiropractic treatment, the pain returned the following week.

He writes (and we paraphrase, with the help of Google Translate):

“(It) mainly seems to me in terms of the length and severity of the associated distance at Ironman Germany on Sunday (that starting is) not justifiable on health grounds, the risk is too large. Especially (regarding) the rest of the season with the very important (races) for me in Wiesbaden, Las Vegas and Kona, I want to avoid the potential risks and damage completely. I very much regret ( ) after the months of preparation to (not be able to) participate in the race, as well as many other triathletes, I had been looking forward to this day together!”

According to the WTC pro qualifying rules, Raelert needs to complete a full Ironman before September 1. Despite his record-breaking finish at Challenge Roth earlier this month, Andreas has yet to qualify as well. With events left in the UK, Regensburg, Canada, and Louisville, there aren’t many left for the duo to choose from.