It was an awesome experience. Dont know where to start. In this photo that is Chris McCormack in front of me, Marino Vanhoanecker is not on it, but still he is the one was leading us and the whole field. And that s Marko Albert with green bike on the left.We are on our way on 18km part of S33 autobahn.Too bad, that around 30Km at the top of the hill I got dropped bc a little gap opened and also rear derailleur didin't want to work properly. Not to mention that the big boys were using Discs, while me rolling my old trusty training set :) It was only 1 day, and I would have ridden my discs too, and probably finish bike with them.
Anyway still managed to ride only 6 min slower today than fastest bike split, which is 10 minutes faster than last year's (that was my 2nd attempt on half distance, this was 3rd).
But beginning all with the start. I positioned myself next to Marko Albert since I knew he s a talented athlete, and will dictate just the best and most comfortable pace for me. Also will post a photo below, where we wish good luck to each other. Both of us are Blueseventy athletes, so I dismissed my plan to exit water 1st. Anyway he was leadin the whole way, so it was just fair like this, leting he be the 1st to step on shore. We got away with 40ish seconds I think, and exited water together. After a quick transition (he yes, me was bit slow :) )we instantly found ourselves on S33 "autobahn rolling. After a couple of Ks Macca and Marino caught us, so we continoued 4 together. They worked only, I was hanging there keeping 10ish meters. I am just a rookie so it was fine. "The rest is history."
On the run I started good kind of a 1h20min half d. pace, but got cramps aroung 8 and suffered, needed to stop, also felt pretty dizzy. Just ate something and kept going. Found rythm again, while still cramping. Around 15ish K mark got "fast stomach" and needed to visit loo badly. Started again, found good rythm, cramping more... Before 500 m to go, needed to go to loo again but more badly than ever, fortunately just passed a toi toi. Rigth after the incident sprinted whole way to finish line in a hope i ll might pass anyone got in front of me while having "trouble" :) Without these stops clear run split was around 1h26min. Which is just 12 mins faster than last attempt.
Race will be on tv on 17th of June, on Eurosport, and sometimes on ORF1. Also available short coverages on both channles' website.
Result, and photoes: http://www.ironmanlive.com/ , http://www.ironmanaustria.at/
A short copy from race report:
"Austria IRONMAN 70.3 2009: The world champion wins in St. Pölten!
After an exciting day of racing Chris McCormack wins in 3:54:15, moments ahead of Marino Vanhoenacker at the 3rdThe Austria IRONMAN 70.3 had an impressive list of PRO’s on the starting line, which included names like McCormack, Vanhoenacker and Wallenhorst. The number of entrants had quadruple in its third year and the race was set to fulfil everybody’s expectations of an all out day of extreme racing...
Marko Albert (EST) set a new swim record in (0:23:18), followed by Adam Molnar (HUN) and Chris McCormack in fifth. The first woman out of the water was Lucie Zelenkova (CZE) chased by Eva Dollinger (AUT) in 0:25:26 and Gina Ferguson (NZE) in 0:25:30.On the bike course Chris McCormack (AUS) took an early lead ahead of Adam Molnar (HUN). At k 21 there was a change of leaders as Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL) overtook McCormack. Albert Marko (EST) and Adam Molnar (HUN) were close behind. From this point McCormack and Vanhoenacker battled in out in an exciting head-to-head challenge. Title defender Massimo Cigana was placed fourth. "
All photoes from http://www.ironmanaustria.com/
Marko and me before start on the pontoon.
On autobahn with leaders. Look at the fixed helmet and those demon training wheels :)
Autobahn lalalalaaaa. Just wait until FFWD race wheels arrive :)
Sprinting to finish line (photo by Luca)
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