The announcers made it seem like Mark Fretta was probably done with ITU racing after the San Diego race. He has a law degree.
How much damage could someone like him do at non-drafting races like 5150, LTF, etc.? A cursory glance at recent ITU results shows a 18-19 minute swim, sub hour bike and 10k as low as 33. I believe he’s viewed as a strong biker, which would seem to fit with non-drafting.
Seems like you might take that ITU fitness and see what you could do in non-drafting, maybe a 70.3 or two?
Anyone know if he’s done much non-drafting stuff?
In the non drafting oly tri’s the top spots are often filled with ITU athletes.
Even in non drafting racing, 98.75% of the time it’s all about the run, as someone like cameron dye can attest to rather frequent.
I think that Lance Armstrong guy who I’ve heard is a really good cyclist might even agree that it’s all about the run.
Yes - that’s why I’m so curious about a guy like Fretta. Seems MOP on the ITU run in recent years, but I know that changes in non-drafting. I hope he gives it a go, if only to satisfy my curiosity!
I want to think I had something to do with Mark getting in to tris in the first place. I recall riding with him when he did not own a bike, bike shorts, bike shoes and was struggling on a 2 hour borrowed bike ride. That was then, now he’s world class. And, he’s a great guy. I’ve also wondered if he takes the non-drafting challenge up soon. He does race locally every once in a while in non-draftng events, but only very occasionally. Didn’t he do Escape from Alcatraz a couple years ago? I think he’s planning to race a couple more years then pursue the law.
Even in non drafting racing, 98.75% of the time it’s all about the run, as someone like cameron dye can attest to rather frequent.
Doesn’t Cameron do better in non-drafting triathlon?
Are the Brownlees the best pure runners in triathlon?
I think the bike has a little more to do with it than you think - certainly more than 1.25% of the time - whether draft legal or not.
Mark raced and won Chicago a little while back, one of his few non drafting events. We (athletes lounge)gave him a TT bike a couple days before the race, and he won with zero time to train in it. He’s an exceptional rider, I would say at the pointy end of the ITU athletes.
I don't know what Mark's plans are post Olympic Trials, but he's a great athlete and would be VERY good at non-drafting triathlon.
Chris
athletes lounge
One other thing many don’t know about Fretta is how hilarious he is. Quick with a joke…definitely a sharp guy. Got to see Mark, Chrabot, Collington & Lukas V. a few years ago at the track doing intervals at the USOTC in the Spring, Lukas was leading the resident boys with what looked like a relaxed gallop, didn’t seem to breath hard. Fretta finished panting hard & would have some comment like, “If I’m gonna die here at least it doing something I like…” or something funny. Really super nice guy.