As any long-course triathlete knows, drafting during the bike leg has long been a contentious issue – especially in big races with packed pro and age-group fields (Kona, looking at you!). 

In my 10+ years in the sport, I’ve heard countless athletes voice frustrations over inconsistent officiating and the blurred line between tactical riding and cheating. 

But now, for the first time, we’re seeing hard data bring clarity— and transparency. 

In a world-first move, complete RaceRanger distance data from DATEV Challenge Roth 2025 has been made publicly available (click here), revealing a remarkably fair race at the front of the field. 

The electronic drafting detection system recorded 0 seconds of illegal drafting for both the men’s winner, Sam Laidlow, and the women’s champion, Laura Philipp. 

Among the top 3 women, Grace Thek (second place) recorded just 14 seconds in the draft zone, while Alanis Siffert (third place) spent just 5 seconds in the draft zone – basically negligible numbers, particularly when explained by the slow-surge moments while riding! 

Comparing all of this to last year, the RaceRanger data reportedly shows an 11% drop in drafting time for female pros – perhaps publishing the data is already having a positive effect! 

“The data speaks for itself: it doesn’t get any fairer at the front,” says James Elvery, RaceRanger founder. 

Publishing the RaceRanger data was a pro-led initiative championed by Sam Laidlow and agreed upon during the pre-race Pro Briefing. 

Felix Walchshöfer, Race Director, says publishing the data is a “major step forward” and a model for other events to follow. 

“We’re incredibly proud that the numbers confirm what we all experienced: a very fair race,” he says. 

“I truly believe this level of fairness was also a direct result of the agreement to publish the data.”

The data has reportedly been adjusted to exclude certain spectator-heavy sections of the course, such as Solarer Berg, Kränzleinsberg, and Kalvarienberg, as well as the first and last 500 meters of the bike course and all aid stations. 

These areas were pre-approved by the race jury as exceptions to the drafting rule.