the PRO mens field in Oceanside is absolutely stacked but what looks particularly interesting is the inclusion of both Rappstar and Bjorn - both uber Cyclists and ST regulars!
I don’t recall them facing off in the past, other than the Slowtwitch hill climb but this should be an interesting season opener.
Any Predictions?
It seems to me, Bjorn is the more natural Swimmer and Rappstar the more natural runner. The bike on the other hand? For me it seems too close to call…
Best of luck to both!
they should legal draft each other and break the bike record =)
but bjorn is on a cervelo right? so he will produce no draft wake
I will never understand the obsession with the “uber-cyclists”. As triathletes, it just seems wierd to me.
Good luck to them though. And everyone else who might be racing!
Mark
Well if you were a FOP cyclist and BOP runner like me maybe you would get it =)
I will never understand the obsession with the “uber-cyclists”. As triathletes, it just seems wierd to me.
Good luck to them though. And everyone else who might be racing!
Mark
Bjorn most likley will have 2 minutes on Jordan out of the water, so I dont think there will be any pacing going on there. If Jordan catches him, something is really wrong with Bjorn. There are a lot of other really good cyclists in this race too, that can swim up there with Bjorn, so that front group will be interesting. I think it will be much like Clearwater was a couple years back, except that there are actually some hills and wind at this course.
I predict Bjorn breaks from the lead group, catches Potts, and gets two minutes into T2. He is running really well right now too, so I dont expect too many of the sub 1"15 runners to catch him. Jordan is running really well now too, but we have to see if he has 1:16 speed in those Ironman legs… As a predictor for Bjorn, his 1/2 split of 1;59 last weekend in a relay, was at triathlon pace watts, so that shows some good form there. ANd he is swimming one day a week more than last year, which is a 25% increase. Lots of front pack swimmers at Oceanside, so maybe Potts will not get off the front this year solo. Too many guys to fill in gaps, not like when there is just one or two, and an early sprint breaks their will…SHould be a great race no matter what…
the PRO mens field in Oceanside is absolutely stacked but what looks particularly interesting is the inclusion of both Rappstar and Bjorn - both uber Cyclists and ST regulars!
I don’t recall them facing off in the past, other than the Slowtwitch hill climb but this should be an interesting season opener.
Any Predictions?
It seems to me, Bjorn is the more natural Swimmer and Rappstar the more natural runner. The bike on the other hand? For me it seems too close to call…
Best of luck to both!
I’ve seen Rappstar’s bio. He’s awesome.
I’d like to see the “Themissing” get in on the action… he’s a ST regular and I’ve seem him in person… he’s a phenom and he’s got all three disciplines… lights out!
Plus, the weather conditions should suit the Norseman as well I would think…
Predictions? Both have no chance at a podium.
Even if they manage to break away from the pack, they’ll get stomped by the runners.
I gotta go with my boy, Jordan.
Loses 2-3min to the lead pack on the swim, rides hard solo and comes close to the chase pack on the bike, and then crushes the run to come from somewhere in the middle/back of the top 10 for the win!
Plus, he writes the best race reports out of anyone!
I predict Bjorn breaks from the lead group, catches Potts, and gets two minutes into T2.
Monty, no disrespect intended to you or Bjorn, but I gotta have some of whatever you’re smoking.
Do you have your own prediction, or are you just going to shit all over on mine??? (-;
I predict that Reed and Potts will work together from the gun and stay away all day with Reed winning.
Impossible, I found his secret stash when staying for the FIST course and took it all for myself…
Jordan and Bjorn while cleaning their bikes were talking about how this comes down to so many of the things that Slowtwitchers care about:
Felt vs Cervelo
HED vs Zipp
Tubular vs Clincher
Shimano vs SRAM
Quarq vs Powertap
Let the smackdown begin!
Kevin
I don’t recall them facing off in the past<<
Westchester 2005 (olympic)
Bjorn- 1st
Rapp-6th
NYC triathlon 2006
Bjorn 8th- 1:47:40
Rapp- 12th- 1:56:14
Timberman 2006
Bjorn- 1st 3:57:46
Rapp- 5th 4:15:04
.
Impossible, I found his secret stash when staying for the FIST course and took it all for myself…
Jordan and Bjorn while cleaning their bikes were talking about how this comes down to so many of the things that Slowtwitchers care about:
Felt vs Cervelo
HED vs Zipp
Tubular vs Clincher
Shimano vs SRAM
Quarq vs Powertap
Let the smackdown begin!
Kevin
Throw some PC’s on one of those bikes, and you’d have all the ST banter items covered.
Oh wait, my bad. You said all the things Slowtwitchers care about. Your list is therefore complete.
Bjorn or rappstar will not crack the top 5. last year craig who is not a uber cyclist rode very close to the uber cyclists. Potts, R cunningham, R beke, C frasier, luke bell will round out the top 5
I’m going with DNF for Bjorn and Sergio.
Rappstar in top 10.
Potts to win
Cunningham 2nd
I am currently eating my words 
“Bjorn Anderson is making a big early move on the bike. He came from 1:08 back on the swim and moved quickly to the front of the bike. He’s now working hard to open a gap which is currently approaching 1 minute.”
He’s going to need more than that to hold off the runners, but maybe he’ll get it! I wish I were there racing too :-/
Look also out for Ronnie Schildknecht. He seems ready too.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Interview/The_world_of_Ronnie_Schildknecht_746.html
I am currently eating my words \
I wasnt going to rub it in, but since youbrought it up…When are you guys going to learn, that when Monty speaks, everyone should listen…(-;
I’m not suprised at all, of course I have been with Bjorn here for the past 5 weeks, so I do have some inside info on what is going on. He is super fit, I tried to warn you that last weeks performance was just a trial run for today… Now have to see if he can put the 3rd piece of the puzzle together. He is very capable of a 1:18 run, provided he has legs left. ANd that is not sprinting, he has great speed right now, about 15:20 5k speed, so 6 minute miles are no problem with good legs. If he gets a 4 to 5 minute lead, and can do this run, then it will be interesting for those top 3 spots…