Like most people with a passion for their sport, I love to watch, learn and simply marvel at the pros. So this posting simply in that spirit.

Chris McCormack, is a controversial figure and one that people either seem to loath or love. I personally think he is an incredible athlete who arguably may be the best all-round triathlete in the history of the sport. But whatever, it is interesting to note that whatever you think of him he knows his facts.

In his post-2010 Ironman Championship interviews and in his new book he talked about the strategy to defeat Alexander (another great athlete to be sure) who all too many had already cannonized as the odds-on favorite for a 3-peat. McCormack talked about Alexander truly being a great athlete and that you for certain did not want to get into a footrace with him (which means a lot coming from a guy who is a fantastic runner himself)! HOWEVER, he went to say that Alexander is an 8:19 Ironman athelet all day long and highly predictable. He has never broken 8:15 and never gone over 8:21. Here it is:

• 2007 2nd place 8:19:04
• 2008 1st place 8:20:21
• 2009 1st place 8:17:45
• 2010 4th place 8:16:53

Now, yesterday he won Ironman Coeur 'd Alene in, yep, 8:19:48.

Great athlete? Incredible no doubt.

But again in the context of McCormack's analysis, he is dead on. Alexander is an incredibly consistent athlete that you do not want to get into a foot chase with, but the key is to break him on the bike early and often.

curious what you'd change with his position on his current bike.

Mat Steinmetz
http://www.retul.com

Doesn't matter what Crowie runs, bikes, swims this year in Kona. The Raelert brothers will own Kona in 2011. Michael Raelert is an even better runner than Crowie. It wouldn't surprise me to see Michael turn in a Kona record this year.

don't know for sure on the position, haven't seen it lately.

but in kona I'd put an aero helmet on him and maybe that new orbea frame or one of the top 4 superbike frames.

this is just the speculation of a fan, not criticism or informed critique even =)

I am not the slightest bit worried about Michael. He will qualify. Andreas says Michael is better than he is and last time I checked, Andreas was pretty much on it.

If you say so. Some people are naturally better at things. No, whoever trains the hardest does not always win. Obviously you have never seen Michael race. The guy is an absolute animal.

Like most people with a passion for their sport, I love to watch, learn and simply marvel at the pros. So this posting simply in that spirit.

Chris McCormack, is a controversial figure and one that people either seem to loath or love. I personally think he is an incredible athlete who arguably may be the best all-round triathlete in the history of the sport. But whatever, it is interesting to note that whatever you think of him he knows his facts.

In his post-2010 Ironman Championship interviews and in his new book he talked about the strategy to defeat Alexander (another great athlete to be sure) who all too many had already cannonized as the odds-on favorite for a 3-peat. McCormack talked about Alexander truly being a great athlete and that you for certain did not want to get into a footrace with him (which means a lot coming from a guy who is a fantastic runner himself)! HOWEVER, he went to say that Alexander is an 8:19 Ironman athelet all day long and highly predictable. He has never broken 8:15 and never gone over 8:21. Here it is:

• 2007 2nd place 8:19:04
• 2008 1st place 8:20:21
• 2009 1st place 8:17:45
• 2010 4th place 8:16:53

Now, yesterday he won Ironman Coeur 'd Alene in, yep, 8:19:48.

Great athlete? Incredible no doubt.

But again in the context of McCormack's analysis, he is dead on. Alexander is an incredibly consistent athlete that you do not want to get into a foot chase with, but the key is to break him on the bike early and often.

I knew what you were TRYING to bate me in to saying. I just needed to confirm I was correct. A personal friend of mine on this forum and I had a bet. I just won because of you. Thank you very much. As I predicted, you're one of those guys on here that looks to TRY and start stuff and create drama.

curious what you'd change with his position on his current bike.

Mat Steinmetzhttp://www.retul.com[/quote[/url]]

His major angles look great but...

I would ask him to drop his head lower. Every time I see him on a bike the top of his head is like 6-8 inches over the level of his back. His non-aero helmet doesn't help with this, but he still has a very high carry for the company he keeps. And he needs an aero helmet, needs to clean up the crap he always hangs on the rear of his bike, possibly experiment with hand position as well. I would be surprised if that borderline forearms angled down position is really the fastest. I would guess he just likes it and doesn't want to change. Though that may have been corrected somewhat this year. Did you do that?

No one cares about the times at Hawaii, it is all about winning.