He shone and he was able to convert his performance into face value. “With third place at the World Championships in Hawaii, it’s already easier – and also more liberating. This third place preserved my sport, so to speak.” Manager Ljungström remembers: “I wasn’t in Hawaii in 2016, I was at home, and as soon as Patrick had crossed the finish line, the phone started ringing and it didn’t stop that quickly: ZDF, SAT 1 and many other broadcasters and newspapers.”
Finally something happened on the sponsor side: Erdinger Non-Alcoholic became the main sponsor, Canyon provides a bike, New Balance the running shoes, Oakley the goggles, Fusion the cycling clothing, Sailfish the wetsuit, Swiss Side the wheels, Ceramic Speed the ball bearings, Cobb Cycling saddle and handlebars, Ekoi the helmet, Orthomol Sport the nutritional supplements and also the energy supplier Mainova counts to Sponsorenpool. Overall, Lange’s sponsorship record is: from zero to 14 in 8:11:14 hours. That’s how long he needed in 2016 for the 3.8 km swim, the 180 km bike ride and the final marathon.
The victory in 2017 then washed over more supporters: Lange now has 22 sponsors and partners, including global players such as Audi, New Balance and Garmin.
