Terenzo Bozzone may have the pedigree but was still a surprise winner of the first Challenge Dubai.
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Terenzo Bozzone may have the pedigree but was still a surprise winner of the first Challenge Dubai.
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The New Zealander was 2008 World Ironman 70.3 champion and has shown he can compete with the world’s best on many occasions, but given the level of talent in such a packed field in the Middle East, few touted his potential for victory here.
Instead, all eyes were on Spain’s four-time ITU world champion Javier Gomez, butas he wilted on the bike and dropped out on the run, it was Bozzone that stayed strong to win in a dominating 3hrs 41mins 45secs, just over a minute from Germany’s Michael Raelert.
There was shock in third place too, with Switzerland’s Manuel Kung rounding out the podium 2mins 50s behind Raelert.
The windy early morning conditions meant the race start was delayed for five minutes and the swim course revised due to strong currents. When they did get going it was American Andy Potts and 2012 Ironman champion Pete Jacobs who led a front pack from the swim that included Gomez and Britain’s Dan Halksworth and David McNamee.
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Denmark’s Martin Jensen was soon to the fore on the bike, the 2013 Ironman Japan champion looking to put 18 months of injury behind him as he posted a 2:02 split. But that was matched by Kiwi Bozzone, who knew the most likely danger was Challenge Bahrain champion Raelert, alighting in T2 1min 49sec back, with the rest of the field splintered to pieces.
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Although Raelert clawed 45secs back over the half-marathon, it was never enough to threaten Bozzone, who was disbelieving in crossing the line for the first victory in what he hopes to be a $1,000,000 Triple Crown win. With Challenge Oman and Bahrain to follow, watch this space to see how it develops.
Terenzo Bozzone may have the pedigree but was still a surprise winner of the first Challenge Dubai.
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The New Zealander was 2008 World Ironman 70.3 champion and has shown he can compete with the world’s best on many occasions, but given the level of talent in such a packed field in the Middle East, few touted his potential for victory here.
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Instead, all eyes were on Spain’s four-time ITU world champion Javier Gomez, butas he wilted on the bike and dropped out on the run, it was Bozzone that stayed strong to win in a dominating 3hrs 41mins 45secs, just over a minute from Germany’s Michael Raelert.
There was shock in third place too, with Switzerland’s Manuel Kung rounding out the podium 2mins 50s behind Raelert.
The windy early morning conditions meant the race start was delayed for five minutes and the swim course revised due to strong currents. When they did get going it was American Andy Potts and 2012 Ironman champion Pete Jacobs who led a front pack from the swim that included Gomez and Britain’s Dan Halksworth and David McNamee.
Denmark’s Martin Jensen was soon to the fore on the bike, the 2013 Ironman Japan champion looking to put 18 months of injury behind him as he posted a 2:02 split. But that was matched by Kiwi Bozzone, who knew the most likely danger was Challenge Bahrain champion Raelert, alighting in T2 1min 49sec back, with the rest of the field splintered to pieces.
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Although Raelert clawed 45secs back over the half-marathon, it was never enough to threaten Bozzone, who was disbelieving in crossing the line for the first victory in what he hopes to be a $1,000,000 Triple Crown win. With Challenge Oman and Bahrain to follow, watch this space to see how it develops.
The Brits raced within a few miles of the world’s tallest building, but failed to hit the heights after a day of struggles at Challenge Dubai.
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With the backdrop of the 830m Burj Khalifa, it was the women who fared best with the highest placing – a commendable fourth – returned by Jodie Swallow.
But that was still one spot shy of the podium she achieved three months ago in the sister-race in Bahrain and failed to meet her own high expectations after finishing the bike leg with only Daniela Ryf in front.
Leanda Cave put in a solid show on ‘home soil’ racing for the new Arab-backed Alameda o.n. Triathlon Team team and Alice Hector, at the start of just her second season back in triathlon, will have taken many lessons from finishing 13th in the half iron-distance contest she described as the ”biggest race of her life.”
It was on the men’s side where the real disappointment came. Joe Skipper was best-placed in 19th after picking up from a 26:07 swim to force his way through the field with a 2:07 bike split and 1:15 run, but was far from content with finishing almost 12mins behind race-winner Terenzo Bozzzone’s 3:41:45.
“I was 20 watts down on the bike and felt s*** the whole way,” he says. “On the run I didn’t even feel that good. Five minutes back was quite a lot out of the swim too, it’d normally be about 2 ½ minutes.
“I felt really unfit swim-wise and that took a lot out of me and I couldn’t hit my power numbers. In an Ironman I’m not swimming at the same intensity so I can bike more to my potential. Racing a half, I’m not fit enough in the water and it impacts the rest of the race.
“It’s just a shame to go home £500 down. You want to race the best people in the world, so do these races but even if I got 10th place I’d have only made £100.”
Skipper was followed in by David McNamee in 21st. The Scot couldn’t have picked a much tougher non-drafting debut after stepping out of the British Olympic programme at Christmas.
He shouldn’t see it as a disaster but after emerging from the water on the back of the front pack, he biked 2:15 on a borrowed time-trial bike against a race-best 2:02 before running through the field with a sharp 1:13 split to finish in 3:55:05, 1min 45 behind Skipper. He heads for the regional championship Ironman South Africa next as the baptism of fire away from lottery funding continues.
Probably winning a hard-fought contest for the most dejected though, was Will Clarke. “It was a really crap race, probably my worst ever,” admitted the 2008 Olympian with a frank assessment. “I can’t really complain about the swim, I found it hard but it was ok [Clarke led the second pack from the water, 56secs down on the leaders].
“I just had no power on the bike, I don’t think I passed anyone all day. I had 275 watts average, I can normally push 325, and on the run I just got round and took the workout.
“I think I came here too late and also it was the first race of the year. It’s different to do a hard swim and then ride 2 ½ hours hard and sometimes I think it takes a race to get your legs back. But, yes, I’m pretty disappointed, it’s horrendous. “
Ritchie Nicholls and Fraser Cartmell also struggled on the desert roads, but Nicholls should take some solace from an impressive 1:11 run split – the fastest of the day, and remarkable considering it still only placed him 34th. Cartmell, sporting a black eye, was 42nd and Jersey’s Dan Halksworth pulled the plug after feeling totally drained.
“I aimed for 340watts hit 260 and my heart-rate was at 180 with a max of 186, I just couldn’t get it down,” he said. “I just suffered the whole race on the bike and on the run had absolutely nothing left.
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“I was burning too many matches. For my heart rate to get to 180 on the bike! I don’t hit that when I’m doing five-minute efforts. There’s something wrong. The doctor said there is a virus going round Dubai at the moment and he thinks I probably have something.
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“I wasn’t particularly well yesterday, but thought that was just nerves. I need to just get over it and do well in the next race.”
The Brits raced within a few miles of the world’s tallest building, but failed to hit the heights after a day of struggles at Challenge Dubai.
Advertisement
With the backdrop of the 830m Burj Khalifa, it was the women who fared best with the highest placing – a commendable fourth – returned by Jodie Swallow.
But that was still one spot shy of the podium she achieved three months ago in the sister-race in Bahrain and failed to meet her own high expectations after finishing the bike leg with only Daniela Ryf in front.
Leanda Cave put in a solid show on ‘home soil’ racing for the new Arab-backed Alameda o.n. Triathlon Team team and Alice Hector, at the start of just her second season back in triathlon, will have taken many lessons from finishing 13th in the half iron-distance contest she described as the ”biggest race of her life.”
It was on the men’s side where the real disappointment came. Joe Skipper was best-placed in 19th after picking up from a 26:07 swim to force his way through the field with a 2:07 bike split and 1:15 run, but was far from content with finishing almost 12mins behind race-winner Terenzo Bozzzone’s 3:41:45.
“I was 20 watts down on the bike and felt s*** the whole way,” he says. “On the run I didn’t even feel that good. Five minutes back was quite a lot out of the swim too, it’d normally be about 2 ½ minutes.
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“I felt really unfit swim-wise and that took a lot out of me and I couldn’t hit my power numbers. In an Ironman I’m not swimming at the same intensity so I can bike more to my potential. Racing a half, I’m not fit enough in the water and it impacts the rest of the race.
“It’s just a shame to go home £500 down. You want to race the best people in the world, so do these races but even if I got 10th place I’d have only made £100.”
Skipper was followed in by David McNamee in 21st. The Scot couldn’t have picked a much tougher non-drafting debut after stepping out of the British Olympic programme at Christmas.
He shouldn’t see it as a disaster but after emerging from the water on the back of the front pack, he biked 2:15 on a borrowed time-trial bike against a race-best 2:02 before running through the field with a sharp 1:13 split to finish in 3:55:05, 1min 45 behind Skipper. He heads for the regional championship Ironman South Africa next as the baptism of fire away from lottery funding continues.
Probably winning a hard-fought contest for the most dejected though, was Will Clarke. “It was a really crap race, probably my worst ever,” admitted the 2008 Olympian with a frank assessment. “I can’t really complain about the swim, I found it hard but it was ok [Clarke led the second pack from the water, 56secs down on the leaders].
“I just had no power on the bike, I don’t think I passed anyone all day. I had 275 watts average, I can normally push 325, and on the run I just got round and took the workout.
“I think I came here too late and also it was the first race of the year. It’s different to do a hard swim and then ride 2 ½ hours hard and sometimes I think it takes a race to get your legs back. But, yes, I’m pretty disappointed, it’s horrendous. “
Ritchie Nicholls and Fraser Cartmell also struggled on the desert roads, but Nicholls should take some solace from an impressive 1:11 run split – the fastest of the day, and remarkable considering it still only placed him 34th. Cartmell, sporting a black eye, was 42nd and Jersey’s Dan Halksworth pulled the plug after feeling totally drained.
“I aimed for 340watts hit 260 and my heart-rate was at 180 with a max of 186, I just couldn’t get it down,” he said. “I just suffered the whole race on the bike and on the run had absolutely nothing left.
“I was burning too many matches. For my heart rate to get to 180 on the bike! I don’t hit that when I’m doing five-minute efforts. There’s something wrong. The doctor said there is a virus going round Dubai at the moment and he thinks I probably have something.
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“I wasn’t particularly well yesterday, but thought that was just nerves. I need to just get over it and do well in the next race.”
The official men’s results at Challenge Dubai have changed from the original finishing order because five of the leading triathletes were found to have cut the course, including the first three across the line.
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A four-minute penalty was handed down to the offenders with the upshot a reshuffled podium, but Terenzo Bozzone was still awarded the title and $65,000 first prize. Tim Reed moved from fourth to second and Michael Raelert slipped from the runner-up position to third.
Switzerland’s Manuel Kung dropped six places to ninth, with fifth-placed finisher Andy Potts and fellow US triathlete Ben Collins out of the prize money altogether in 12th and 15th.
It appeared something was amiss during the bike leg of the race when the ‘leader’ Denmark’s Martin Jensen (now officially awarded fifth) showed annoyance to a bike marshal after spotting triathletes placed ahead who hadn’t passed him on the road.
It became more apparent at the finish line with many of the professionals convinced the route hadn’t been adhered to, but the original podium of Bozzone, Raelert and Kung stood for the presentation ceremony before being altered for the official awards in the evening.
There is no suggestion any of the five triathletes tried to gain an advantage by deliberating cutting the course, with unconfirmed reports that they turned at an incorrect roundabout when following a motorbike outrider.
But under International Triathlon Union rules, which govern the Challenge races, an advantage gained by taking the wrong route should mean a disqualification.
Revised top five men’s results:
1. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)* 3:45:45
2. Tim Reed (AUS) 3:46:35
3. Michael Raelert (DUE)* 3:46:49
4. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 3:47:13
5. Martin Jensen (DEN) 3:47:19
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*Received a four-minute penalty for cutting the course
The official men’s results at Challenge Dubai have changed from the original finishing order because five of the leading triathletes were found to have cut the course, including the first three across the line.
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A four-minute penalty was handed down to the offenders with the upshot a reshuffled podium, but Terenzo Bozzone was still awarded the title and $65,000 first prize. Tim Reed moved from fourth to second and Michael Raelert slipped from the runner-up position to third.
Switzerland’s Manuel Kung dropped six places to ninth, with fifth-placed finisher Andy Potts and fellow US triathlete Ben Collins out of the prize money altogether in 12th and 15th.
It appeared something was amiss during the bike leg of the race when the ‘leader’ Denmark’s Martin Jensen (now officially awarded fifth) showed annoyance to a bike marshal after spotting triathletes placed ahead who hadn’t passed him on the road.
It became more apparent at the finish line with many of the professionals convinced the route hadn’t been adhered to, but the original podium of Bozzone, Raelert and Kung stood for the presentation ceremony before being altered for the official awards in the evening.
There is no suggestion any of the five triathletes tried to gain an advantage by deliberating cutting the course, with unconfirmed reports that they turned at an incorrect roundabout when following a motorbike outrider.
But under International Triathlon Union rules, which govern the Challenge races, an advantage gained by taking the wrong route should mean a disqualification.
Revised top five men’s results:
1. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)* 3:45:45
2. Tim Reed (AUS) 3:46:35
3. Michael Raelert (DUE)* 3:46:49
4. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 3:47:13
5. Martin Jensen (DEN) 3:47:19
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*Received a four-minute penalty for cutting the course
We held our annual shindig the 220 Awards at Sandown Park last weekend, with hero cyclist Graeme ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Obree our guest speaker.
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Sponsored by sports nutrition brand Elivar, there were twenty categories in all, covering triathlon’s brightest athletes, brands and races from the past year. Our winners were voted for directly by you, our readers, right here on the 220 Triathlon website:
Race of the year (under 500 entries) – The Ilkley Triathlon
Run shoe brand of the year – Asics
Duathlete of the year – Emma Pooley
Women’s age-grouper of the year – Kayleigh Adams (pictured above)
Triathlon retailer of the year – TFN
Men’s age-group triathlete of the year – Neil Eddy
Innovative product of the year – Garmin 920XT
Men’s paratriathlete of the year – Phil Hogg
Youth triathlete of the year – Ben Dijkstra
Online retailer of the year – Wiggle
International triathlete of the year – Javier Gomez
Women’s paratriathlete of the year – Lauren Steadman
Triathlon wetsuit brand of the year – Huub
Coach of the year – Simon Ward
Bike brand of the year – Boardman Bikes
Women’s elite triathlete of the year – Jodie Stimpson
Race of the year (over 500 entries) – The Long Course Weekend
Men’s elite triathlete of the year – Alistair Brownlee
Club of the year – Leeds and Bradford Tri Club
The Jane Tomlinson Award for outstanding contribution to triathlon – Iain Hamilton
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What do you think of this year’s winners? Let us know in the comments below!
We held our annual shindig the 220 Awards at Sandown Park last weekend, with hero cyclist Graeme ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Obree our guest speaker.
Advertisement
Sponsored by sports nutrition brand Elivar, there were twenty categories in all, covering triathlon’s brightest athletes, brands and races from the past year. Our winners were voted for directly by you, our readers, right here on the 220 Triathlon website:
Race of the year (under 500 entries) – The Ilkley Triathlon
Run shoe brand of the year – Asics
Duathlete of the year – Emma Pooley
Women’s age-grouper of the year – Kayleigh Adams (pictured above)
Triathlon retailer of the year – TFN
Men’s age-group triathlete of the year – Neil Eddy
Innovative product of the year – Garmin 920XT
Men’s paratriathlete of the year – Phil Hogg
Youth triathlete of the year – Ben Dijkstra
Online retailer of the year – Wiggle
International triathlete of the year – Javier Gomez
Women’s paratriathlete of the year – Lauren Steadman
Triathlon wetsuit brand of the year – Huub
Coach of the year – Simon Ward
Bike brand of the year – Boardman Bikes
Women’s elite triathlete of the year – Jodie Stimpson
Race of the year (over 500 entries) – The Long Course Weekend
Men’s elite triathlete of the year – Alistair Brownlee
Club of the year – Leeds and Bradford Tri Club
The Jane Tomlinson Award for outstanding contribution to triathlon – Iain Hamilton
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What do you think of this year’s winners? Let us know in the comments below!
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British paratriathlete Rhiannon Henry made a stunning debut in South Africa last weekend with a gold in her first ever triathlon, as part of a GB team that picked up six superb medals at the 2015 Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon Event.
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Henry was competing in the women’s PT5 category (visually impaired), and finished nearly 5mins ahead of her teammate Melissa Reid, who took silver. Another gold was taken by Clare Cunningham, racing in the women’s PT4 category (impaired limb mobility), finishing nine minutes ahead of French athlete Gwladys Lemoussu.
Andy Lewis and Ryan Taylor won silver and bronze in the PT2 category (impaired limb mobility, less severe than PT4), and George Peasgood won an excellent silver medal in the PT4 category. Lewis races with a right leg running blade, whilst Taylor, 21, is a former member of the England cerebral palsy football team. Another youngster, Peasgood, is just 19 years old.
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Full medals as follows:
Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:17:38
Women’s PT5
1. Rhiannon Henry, GBR, 1:11:46 (guided by Nicole Walters)
2. Melissa Reid, GBR, 1:16:23 (guided by Grace France)
Men’s PT2
1. Stephane Bahier, FRA, 1:16:54
2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:19:41
3. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:20:11
Men’s PT4
1. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:06:21
2. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:08:17
The GB British Paratriathlon squad will miss the next round of the Series in Australia and resume racing in the Series in Madrid in May. The team have Rio qualification firmly in their sights this year, with a great chance of performing well in all six paratri medal events confirmed for next year’s Olympics.
British paratriathletes enjoyed dazzling success at the ITU Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada last year, with the 13-strong squad collecting eight world championship medals including two golds, four silvers and two bronzes, spanning classes from PT1 to PT5.
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(Images: British Triathlon / James Mitchell)
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British paratriathlete Rhiannon Henry made a stunning debut in South Africa last weekend with a gold in her first ever triathlon, as part of a GB team that picked up six superb medals at the 2015 Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon Event.
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Henry was competing in the women’s PT5 category (visually impaired), and finished nearly 5mins ahead of her teammate Melissa Reid, who took silver. Another gold was taken by Clare Cunningham, racing in the women’s PT4 category (impaired limb mobility), finishing nine minutes ahead of French athlete Gwladys Lemoussu.
Andy Lewis and Ryan Taylor won silver and bronze in the PT2 category (impaired limb mobility, less severe than PT4), and George Peasgood won an excellent silver medal in the PT4 category. Lewis races with a right leg running blade, whilst Taylor, 21, is a former member of the England cerebral palsy football team. Another youngster, Peasgood, is just 19 years old.
Full medals as follows:
Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:17:38
Women’s PT5
1. Rhiannon Henry, GBR, 1:11:46 (guided by Nicole Walters)
2. Melissa Reid, GBR, 1:16:23 (guided by Grace France)
Men’s PT2
1. Stephane Bahier, FRA, 1:16:54
2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:19:41
3. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:20:11
Men’s PT4
1. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:06:21
2. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:08:17
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The GB British Paratriathlon squad will miss the next round of the Series in Australia and resume racing in the Series in Madrid in May. The team have Rio qualification firmly in their sights this year, with a great chance of performing well in all six paratri medal events confirmed for next year’s Olympics.
British paratriathletes enjoyed dazzling success at the ITU Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada last year, with the 13-strong squad collecting eight world championship medals including two golds, four silvers and two bronzes, spanning classes from PT1 to PT5.
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(Images: British Triathlon / James Mitchell)