how many points does Charles Barkley get for 5th?

Pretty good call!

LCB’s run was undeniably impressive…

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Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

Question now is what does she do? Go for Paris or stick with Kona?

732

Makes you wonder…

I’d think ultimately Paris either way. Give Kona a go this year, then switch to ITU? Or jump right in now?

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Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

That's not the question, though.

Adman wrote:

Question now is what does she do? Go for Paris or stick with Kona?

Is it too much to ask for both?

Great show for the home crowd with how many GB Athletes were in the top 10. But great performance for Lucy in this. Small sample size on limited time, but will be interesting to see what she does post Kona.

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Still shouldn't be a question if Spivey gets the nod for Tokyo. I'm not sure what the debate is about at this point.

Yes, it'll be good to have some American women racing in Tokyo.

Post race interview she said she wanted to go to France 2024. Talked about the process of getting better race by race so I think we'll see her Olympic distance racing. They also mentioned the commonwealth games which gives a GB triathlete a chance in-between Olympics to wear a national vest.

Commonwealth Games are still 2022, right? I do wonder about Kona this year. That ITU window is small.

Am I wrong in hoping she’s careful with her run coach? Do the UK athletes get more running injuries than other countries, or is it just my impression?

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Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

I don't see any reason she can't do both. Back in the day pro triathletes would race all distances. We've seen a number of ITU athletes being successful at 70.3 (Gomez was 70.3 world champion while focusing on ITU). The main reasons we don't see IM athletes competing at ITU are weak swim, they're older and have lost a bit of speed and they're worried they may not be able to compete. If LCB keeps finishing top 3 at Kona, she can validate in a November race, then spend the first half of the year concentrating on shorter stuff, before ramping up the mileage later in the year.

To provide color commentary on broadcasts.

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

I think she will need to commit to ITU one way or another if she wants to be as competitive at short course as she is at long course.

For a bit of perspective it was a smaller field, with a number of big names missing on a course that suits a bike breakaway. Some other courses wont be as forgiving. Normally LCB is always a podium at long course. To get there at ITU will need to totally commit. Definitely has the potential.

Prediction:
Van Riel of Belgium on the podium, hopefully a win.

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Advocating for research & treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
http://www.meaction.net/about/what-is-me/

"Suck it up, Buttercup"
(me, to myself, every day)

Very nice prediction.

I had a fiver on Coldwell but dashed after one lap of the run.

Yeah but it appears she can create a bike breakaway in any race during the swim. And she wouldn’t get dropped, or at least as quick, on an easier course.

Yer'aving a larf, right!
What do you wonder about Kona? Why is the ITU window "small"? Look at the successful older athletes racing the standard distance.
The jeopardy for her will be being distracted by this short stuff: winning Kona will remain her primary goal (I reckon). The challenge will be integrating the different training demands complicated by more frequent races (and the associated travel/logistics).
She's still young; and the young can (and want to) have it all.

On a less selective course 41secs out of the swim is not always enough. And in a sprint distance 10-20 is nothing.

But she's shown that she definitely has enormous potential at ITU. The swim gives her a level of comfort that no long course athlete has ever had.

Anyone clock who the rogue navigator was there? Must be a DQ for not completing the course.

SO many thoughts after this morning's #wtcsleeds (World Triathlon) women's race (from my FB post):

1. Lucy Charles-Barclay is amazing! 11 days focused short-course training and riding with some of the best in the world, then outrunning a great Taylor Spivey. The picture shows LCB motoring up the insane finish line hill.

2. Taylor Spivey - major statement for selection to the USA Triathlon Olympic Team. Over the period under consideration by the selection committee, Taylor has shown great consistency as the top American. The only argument for Katie Zaferes at this point is Taylor has not shown consistent medal achievement - Katie has, as the World's #1 pre-pandemic. But, guessing Taylor will get the nod. On a personal level, my heart goes out to Katie.

3. The Brits - With 2 of their three pre-selected women either sick or injured (Vicky Holland and Georgia Taylor-Brown), you have to wonder about the true value of such early selection procedures by British Triathlon. But, you don't have to wonder about their crazy strength on the women's side looking forward to Paris 2024.

4. The course and conditions in Leeds, plus the impact of Lucy Charles-Barclay in the swim, will be dramatically different in Tokyo. Big question as to the British women and men racing in such conditions.

NOW, over to the men.

Got my answer, Richard Varga DQ.

So AB doing what he needs to early on.

Just been called as Varga on the BBC coverage. DQ.