TheStroBro wrote:
marcag wrote:
Interesting, because if you take away the 70.3 record, Lionel has what ? 3 titles ? Granted his 2nd at Kona is great, but does Lionel have a better 140.3 record than Hoffman, TO, McAmee, Skipper, even Wurf ? Maybe even Tim Don ? Rappstar has more IM wins and a world ITU to boot. Do we include him ?
Then if you factor 70.3 in, 2x WC 70.3 Gomez (who has won a 140.3), Iden 2x WC 70.3, the list grows more.
Lionel is always a contender, but there is a group of 3 (in recent years) above the rest, then there is a a group of 7,8, 9...maybe 12 than if you play with the criteria would move up or down. I am sure the TO fans see their boy in the top 5, as do the Javier fans. There just happens to be more Lionel fans (of which I am one).
Where do you come up with "three" as your number?
Lionel has 23 IM 70.3 Wins. 4 IM wins and ton of 2nds. Then add 2 Challenge Championship Wins. 2019 Challenge Daytona win.
I was addressing Dev's comments (because I was surprised) that it's mostly about IM. I counted 3, but I forgot the Florida duathlon :-)
If we want to throw 70.3 in the mix, then let's throw in all the guys that podiumed in WCs. You can probably make a decent list of guys, that if they showed up, it isn't obvious Lionel would beat. AB, Gustav, Javier, Tim Don, Tim Reed....and others. The stacked races are the ones we should consider. I think he would be a contender but far from a slam dunk.
IMO, a ton of 70.3 wins, with the dilution of the field does not get you into the "one of the best" club. Lionel's fourth at 70.3 worlds, against a stacked field, his 2nd in Kona, his battles in St-George against Sebi and a few others get you consideration. He was amazing against AB, in AB's debut win in 70.3.
Back to Dev's comments, I think that if you exclude 70.3 from the conversation there are several guys that are similar. And if you include 70.3 there are a few to add. Fewer wins, but much bigger wins.
Every athlete I mentioned would be labelled an exceptional and influential pro at mid to long distance tri. Picking top 6 would be hard. Well at least positions 4 to 6 would be hard.