Race is wide open now, wow. Poor guy.

Interestingly he seemed to hint that 2019 would be his last Kona too “One more time”...

https://www.instagram.com/...igshid=1xqqgmimsgs7e

Let’s start with predictions all over

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Sr. Salitre

crazy, and as a fan of the sport, disappointing

to think back to one week ago...just wow.

but happens every year in Kona where a top gun goes out before the gun even goes off...

So sad to see, he really had a comeback year this year showing the younger ones how it is done! He was a huge favorite to win Kona in my book. But yes race is WIDE open again!

So unfortunate. Especially at his age. He was the huge favorite this year. On the other hand I was expecting a pretty clear victory by Frodo. Now this could make for a much more interesting race. Gomez, Sanders, Kienle and others will feel that this is a giant opportunity for them to win a race that seemed almost out of reach. Could make this an epic race.

That really sucks. Sport can be super tough at the highest level. He was in great shape but maybe too great of shape. Always a fine balancing act we play.

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wow

Its 2 am. This is a nightmare. Its not true. I refuse to believe it. I am going back to bed. Goodnight. :(

Maybe he saw Lioner Sander's nutrition plan and got scared?

Sucks!

He was never going to win Kona anyway.

This is just proof.

B Curry will win.

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Such a shame, maybe he pushed it too hard this year proving a point?

Damn....this sucks beyond belief. How did he go for South African gazelle to German crutches????

I guess now I have to hope that Sebi and Sanders can beat Gomez and Lange. It makes the dynamic interesting because there are the stronger runners vs the stronger riders. Jan was both and created this interesting dynamic.

Kona will be played with a deck missing one of the kings

It's hard to digest even just spectating it, I really can't get my head around how these guys can process something like this... Stopped to a halt in prime of life.... Like Rasmussen getting pulled from le tour, or the crashes of Don, Carfrae... Wellington forced out race morning....race leader punctures.... Etc etc etc...... 99. 999% journey of done but stopped from completing.... Damn high stakes on a dice roll

Ultimately though, the überbikers will still be trying to gap the fast runners... as was always the case. The only thing we won't see now is how much they had to make up on Frodeno, and whether he went with them.

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29 years and counting

Exactly...Frodo was the one who could choose to play either strategy and his presence and where he "sat" on the bike would affect both groups distinctly. Now it's Cam+Lionel+Sebi vs Lange + Gomez + Currie?

The big question now, is whether Ironman can sort the live Internet Streaming out for Kona!

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29 years and counting

I think that the uber bikers need to have a phone hook up this weekend and discuss their tactics.

Like the year Macca did with the Germans and he went on to win.

It was his only hope to beat Crowie and it worked.

They are nuts if they don’t.

Then if they do I actually think mr carfrea could win it.

Tipping curry however

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Agreed, the athletes who can benefit most from this are the bikers.

The way in envisaged this years race was Frodo keeping the runners in touch on the bike rather than him hanging on with Wurf et al.

Only Sanders can funk this up - and I believe he will. Sebi for the win

That sucks.
I thought we were gonna see the first sub-8 at Kona this year.
Heal up dude!

I'm in for Gomez then, as much as I'd hate him to win. He's the last 'complete' athlete left in the race. Then you can split it between Currie, Sebi, Sanders and Lange. As much as I like Wurf I think he'll struggle to make top 10

This (imho.)

Frodeno has lost Kona, whoever wins has beaten him, by virtue of making it to the startline.

Sorry to hear he is out for Kona. Frodo was dominant this year. He is great for the sport. Class.

Why hate?

After his form drafting majority of the bike leg in South Africa I'm no longer a fan. I don't hate him, but I'd hate to see him win