@Ironmandad has published a chat with Thorsten Radde - trirating.
Agree 100%. Keep in mind that, while Roth is important, the big dance is in October. Whatever the gap there, if it’s more than 10 minutes, LCB will have to consciously decide what pace she sets in the first 15km, and with no competitive IM finishes since her win in 2023 (running 2:57 injured, being chased down by Haug). Sunday will offer data to help her determine that. She has more to gain from this race than Matthews who already knows off an easyish bike she can run 2:47 in Kona.
The disruptors in Kona to these two, of course, will be Knibb and Loevseth. LCB buried herself last year after a hard bike, catching up to Knibb far quicker than necessary (by top Palani at 10km) and cooked herself as a result. Or maybe she realised that the actual challenge was behind her: Loevseth only 4 minutes down, who (she knew) had two x 2:46s, including the slow IMLP run course. (Less clear if Philipp and Derron wil be up there.)