Biggest, strongest Ironman
Twenty-one of the world’s leading and rising male triathletes and 17 in the women’s side gear up for what promises to be a battle royale in the biggest gathering ever of endurance runners in Ironman 70.3 Philippines which unfolds August 5 at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
Tim Reed, one of Australia’s best triathletes and winner of the event the last three years, will be hardpressed in his drive for a fourth championship with a slew of equally talented rivals all primed up for the keenly-awaited put up by title sponsor Aguila Energy Drink and Regent Food Corp. and organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc.
Mexican Mauricio Mendez, the former XTERRA champion and winner of the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Davao last March, 12-time Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown and threetime world titlist Craig Alexander are but three of the early favorites to foil Reed’s record bid in the grueling 1.9km swim-90km bike21.2km run event.
“Everybody is excited for this particular Ironman race for its star-studded cast in the centerpiece pro division and a championship course ready to challenge even the best in the fold,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, founder of SEI, which incidentally is marking its decade-long staging of triathlon events in the country.
Sam Betten, another top Aussie triathlete who considers Ironman 70.3 Cebu as one of the best Ironman events in the world, is also in the mix along with Kevin Collington, Brad Williams, Matt Burton, Luke McKenzie, Braden Currie, Matthew Chrabot, Josh Amberger, Nathan Groch, Brent McMahon, Mike Phillips, Casey Munro, Michael Raelert, Jakub Langhammer, David Mainwaring and Tyler Butterfield – all raring to prove their worth in the blue-ribbon event backed by presenting sponsors Alaska Milk Corp., Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board Phl.
But it won’t be an allmale show as an equally star-studded cast braces for a spirited duel for the women’s tiara, to be led by Czech Radka Kahlefeldt, who will be shooting for her third crown after ruling the Ironman 70.3 Subic last year and the first Ironman 70.3 Davao.
But like Reed, the former No. 1 in the European Triathlete Union faces a crack roster of rivals out to spoil her drive, including veteran campaigner Dimity Lee Duke, four-time Philippine champion Caroline Steffen and former Ironman Australia titlist Beth McKenzie.
Throw inAnna Eberhardt, Lauren Goss, Beth McKenzie, Bruna Mahn, Sabrina Stadelmann, Saleta Noquiera, Lisa Tyack, Lauren Brandon, Grace Thek, Mel Hauschildt, Simone Maier, Holly Khan, Manami Iijima, Maja Stage Nielsen and Angela Naeth and this upcoming Ironman 70.3 Cebu has all the trimmings of a classic edition.
The elite pro field is part of a record cast of 2,700 triathletes from over 51 countries vying in the event, which also boasts of the one biggest and most complete triathlon expos to date. All finishers will receive podium trophies and medals designed and hand made by world class Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue.
SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France — Britain’s Geraint Thomas moved a step closer to winning his maiden Tour de France after pushing Sky teammate Chris Froome down the standings on a 17th stage won by Colombia’s Nairo Quintana on Wednesday.
Thomas held an overnight lead of 1min 39sec on compatriot Froome, but took it to 2:31 after the four-time champion crossed the finish 1:36 behind Quintana and nearly a minute off Thomas.
Ireland’s Dan Martin (UAE) finished second at 28secs behind Quintana, with Thomas third at 47 and Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Lotto-Jumbo) in fourth at 52.
Froome’s failure to stay with Thomas in the final few kilometers of the 16 km climb to the finish of the Col du Portet amid a series of attacks by rivals means the Kenyanborn Briton is in danger of finishing off the podium.
Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin, the 2017 Giro d’Italia champion, has now moved up to second place with Roglic up to fourth overall just 16secs behind Froome.
Welshman Thomas will start Thursday’s 18th stage, a mainly flat 171 km ride from Trie-sur-Blaise to Pau with a 1:59 lead on Sunweb team leader Dumoulin, with Froome in third.
“It’s unfortunate Froomey lost time. But he’s still up there in the podium (position),” said
Thomas, who is taking nothing for granted yet.
“I’m feeling good, but I’m not going to get carried away.
I will keep refuelling, eating and drinking as best I can and not let any complacency creep in.”
Froome appeared to abdicate his crown when he tipped his hat to
Thomas at the finish.
“I’ve won the last three Grand
Tours I’ve done now... but I’m still going to try and fight for the podium and try and obviously keep G up there in yellow,” he said.
Quintana said:
“I’m happy for the win.
It was a day for the pure climbers.
“It’s also great for the morale of the team. It’s been frustrating, and sad because things didn’t work out the way we’d hoped.
“But we have to keep on fighting.”
Tour organizers introduced innovation with the top 20 placed riders, much like in Moto GP, starting on a grid according to their times in the general classification.
At only 65 km long – a nod to the number of the French department featuring the start and finish (65) – and with three punishing climbs, a spectacular day of racing looked to be on the menu.
But when it came to rival teams trying to loosen Sky’s grip, it was the same old story.
An early breakaway sparked by Estonian Tanel Kangert (Astana) and ‘King of the Mountains’ Julian Alaphilippe eventually came to nothing, although the Quick-Step rider picked up 18 precious points for his polka dot jersey.
Quintana overcame two mechanical problems early in the race, when he twice had to chase back to join the peloton.
When Martin attacked at the foot of the final climb, Quintana was quickly on his wheel.
Safe in the knowledge Quintana was unlikely to claw back his overnight deficit of nearly four minutes, Sky let the Colombian go.
They only had to control Dumoulin and Lotto Jumbo rider Roglic, who launched a series of attacks in the closing kilometers that put Froome in trouble.
When Froome struggled, it gave Thomas wings.
“Obviously I didn’t want him to have a bad day, like he did, but it gave me confidence knowing somebody of Froomey’s stature was struggling,” said Thomas.
Quintana, having benefited from the help of teammate Alejandro Valverde after he got into an earlier counter-attack, attacked solo with 6.4 km remaining.
Martin battled to close the gap, but came up short as the Colombian claimed just his second Tour stage five years after winning at Semnoz in the Alps.
The final podium placings will be decided by the penultimate-stage time trial, over 31 km, on Saturday.