according to kris gemmel who commentated on race for tvnz, carter had focussed less on his swimming and had really concentrated on his running recently and was said to be in the best shape of his life.

i dont think there were any choices involved. the lead pack were just too strong on the bike. robertson tried to go, but went too hard too soon. he was dropped. marceau would never have won as he's not a good enough runner, and there was no way he was going to drop the nzers :P

like its been said before, nz triathletes are strength athletes and this was a strength course..a course guaranteed to find out who the best triathletes are.