Kanute was awesome. Gomez and Don def raced ITU style... swim hard, sit in on the bike then run hard. Sucked to watch as a Sebi fan

It's a very good question. I don't think the way to beat him is to go gun to gun... I think the only way someone's going to beat him is if they are and even better runner, if that exists in Triathlon, and sort of play his game. Tail/comserve energy on the swim, hop on the same bike train but dont take pulls at the front, and then outrun him. I just don't know if anybody has the chops to do that when he is on.


Truly a fantastic race to watch.

He can't have any complaints. He gave the guys at the front a 3-4 min head start out of the swim. And to close the gap as quick as he did in the first third of the bike may explain the sub par run. The other guys were never gonna take a turn on the bike. Why would they? As long as they are 12m behind he can't be pissed.

Agreed.

Dan Stubleski just ran a 1:15:23 in the AG ranks!!

Started the run in 2nd about 7 minutes behind James Burke. Will finish ahead by (I'm guessing 5 minutes).

Great results by both these two!!

Also agree. It's getting to the point where doing the bike on a trainer is the only way to make people happy.

It's a race, you race the course, you race others to enable you to make the most of your best attributes.

It's also a triathlon, Kienles problem is his slow swim, not bike packs at 12m distance.

"Way more successful"? I totally disagree.

Agree bluefever, spot on with your comment on the swim and racing the race and your competitors, but would still advocate for 20 meter distance.

Let me explain my rationale.

Word on the street here in the UK is that this recent hip operation is the last throw of the dice for AB in terms of injuries. It's amazing he's had so much success at ITU given the injury problems he's had over the past 5 years. But I think he knows he won't get away with that at 70.3 and especially Ironman. So staying injury free is one factor, which I dont think he can do.

Secondly given what he's said publically since the championship, it seems his love for ITU and Tokyo hasn't dimmed. Juggling full Ironman with ITU and being successful in both is going to be impossible. I think he'll stay until Tokyo.

Lastly Kona. Those conditions will seriously diminish AB's potential in the world championship race. Yeh he can definitely win it. But the chances are not 3 or 4 times.

Gomez has shown alot more consistancy in his career which has been rewarded with 8 world titles (5 ITU, 2 70.3, 1 Xterra). While I don't think he's hit quite the heights AB has (see London 2012) he's only a baw hair behind.

So I think given his robustness, consistency, sole focus on non drafting and what he's already achieved at 70.3, I can see JG being considerably more sucessful over the piece.

That guy...he's just a machine. Total testament to what consistent long hours (combined with genetic gifts) can do. Dude played hoops in high school.

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Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

How about my teammate Ricky Flynn who just took the Amateur win from Dan in 4:10 with a 1:11:19 run. Previous Olympic Trials runner turned triathlete. Fastest run after Gomez as far as I know and he regularly goes under 5 minute/miles in our local races.

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Adam Feigh
Pianko Law, Speed Hound, Castelli, Sailfish, Base
Feighathlon.com

Given Ben's limited time racing 70.3 seems like he needs a year or 2 and then just execute his race plan...

The only think left for Gomez is for him to win Hawaii. Really he has multiple championships at every distance and a medal in the Olympics. Brownlee will not win Hawaii if Gomez is there.

How many people have run 1:10 in a Half Iron. I ask because I am impressed with that run today as it seems amazingly fast.

Triathlon's problem is the sport doesn't favour strong cyclists. I'd love to see a 20m draft zone for the pro race. If you're not willing to work on the bike, that's fine, it should show on your bike split time. It's boring as hell watching this train of uber runners sit in on the bike.

I'd like to see the modest bikers/uber runner rolling the dice either by sitting in a 20m draft train and watching guys like SK ride away, hoping they can catch them, OR by working hard to close the gaps on the bike, and maybe hampering their otherwise stellar runs. I think that would be a far more entertaining race to watch. The way it is now, there's really no point in watching once the bike groups have developed.

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Long Chile was a silly place.

I'm a big AB fan, but have to agree.

To add to your opinion, he gave the impression (at least to me) in interviews after St George and Samorin that he found long distance racing a bit dull - he said a few times likes close racing, and missed that aspect in HIM.

I think this may be a factor also.

20m would certainly be better.

I think another issue is the stupid passing rule to prevent cutting in. It encourages people to keep the gaps to a minimum and discourages passing - if there is a line of 12 people, hardly any can make a pass without destroying their race due to the power they need to hold for minutes on end. So they sit in at 11.5m to hold station, not being able to do anything.

Yes the gladiatorial aspect of ITU is something he definitely enjoys. I also think he detests the "scene" that exists in long course racing (headbands, compression socks, flurescent clothing).

You could say that cycling in general doesnt reward strong cyclists. Strong cyclists become domestiques or TT specialists.

A 20m drafting rule would be preferable but unfortunately I think with regards to JG, JF, AB it wouldn't make any difference. They would still beat the uber bikers 9/10 if fully fit.

I agree with both of the points in bold above.

Triathlon doesn't favour strong cyclists??

Unless your names are Brownlee, Gomez, Frodeno, Kienle!

Is there anything stopping 20m draft zones being a reality in IM races for pros? Could they just extend it or is it more complex than that?

I would take SK's name off that list.

The other three are super human freaks, athletes that come around once or twice a decade. They are also the most well rounded athletes in the sport.

Maybe I should have said triathlon doesn't favour strong cycling efforts. Why roll the dice and maybe blow up your run when you can sit it on the bike? I'd like to see athletes tested on all legs of the race, not just the first and third. I think the sport would be more exciting if one or two sport specialists had more of an honest chance.

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Long Chile was a silly place.

amazing run especially on that course!!

amazing run for anyone. For a guy who is 41......

I guess we are forgetting the challenge championship that had 20m draft zone.......what happened to the 2 itu stars in that race?