Gotta wonder if he will show well since all the hype is going on. I don’t dislike him or his decision. I am remaining neutral since I don’t know the facts.
Anyway. How do you think he will fare?
I think he gets flats and doesn’t finish…making this whole thing look silly
Win in a blowout.
3rd behind Raelert and Vanhoenacker.
I don’t have any feelings towards him positive or negative. Totally impressive career, just a quiet guy so I don’t have much of an opinion of him.
That said, I don’t see him winning. In sports it always seems so rare that the person talked about the most or predicted to win, actually does.
1st
.
if I had to pick someone to win, I would pick him
but, it is a safer bet to bet that he will not win
.
First, because he is on a Shiv and Shiv’s don’t lose 
.
Pushes too hard on his spiffy new bike. Runs a dismal 2:45. Fails to pass 2.
3rd place
This is a soap opera in the making. I’m more interested to see the repercussions from a DNF or poor race. Specialized/Tyr have way too much riding on him.
Pushes too hard on his spiffy new bike. Runs a dismal 2:45. Fails to pass 2.
3rd place
Do you actually think that such a veteran racer such as Crowie would screw up the race by over-extending himself on the bike? My prediction is that he sets a personal bike course PB but still hammers the run. Not saying for sure he’ll win, but he’ll be up there! He definitely will not blow up on the bike. He’s a smart guy!
Remember Crowie is an 8:19 guy - lol. But, my real opinion is that Crowie is one of the toughest mentally and physically to beat. I don’t think the man lets a lot of the pressure get to him. If he does, he doesn’t show it. He seems like a pretty grounded dude, and he knows he has his work cut out for him, but it ain’t going to phase him. And, by the way, the dude can bike.
win
.
True, but that goes for anyone. Unless their name is Mark, Dave, or Chrissie. But, even then…
Crowie FTMFW!
I’m just saying…there’s a lot of pressure for him to have a blazing bike split. He will. He won’t blow up on the bike and it will likely be a PR.
Then…he won’t have enough in him to run 'em all down and will place 3rd. Which is two places better than last year, using that “tank” of a bike from last year.
I’m just saying…there’s a lot of pressure for him to have a blazing bike split. He will. He won’t blow up on the bike and it will likely be a PR.
Then…he won’t have enough in him to run 'em all down and will place 3rd. Which is two places better than last year, using that “tank” of a bike from last year.
3rd is only one spot better than last year. He was 4th. It’s going to be an exciting race for sure. Hope he can keep it much closer on the bike this year, which will put a big scare into those already out on the run.
Unfortunately DNF !
Behind Potts and Lieto.
What is Craig’s best IM time ever? Has he ever gone sub-8 or anywhere near it? I don’t recall.
I ask because if this race really hots up and blows out of the tactical games…then I’ve got to really look past him to Raelert or VanH. And I think the race will do exactly that because people see the emphasis being put on the bike and not losing time. Strategically, Alexander has apparently said “I will not lose this race on the bike again”. How are the others going to respond tactically to an Alexander who doesn’t give up a ton of time on the bike this year?
Put another way, I think Craig is a lot faster than his two Kona winning times might indicate. But there are a few guys who are likely faster.
If the conditions are right, we might see the first sub 8 Kona. If Alexander, Raelert and VanH are within a minute or 3 out of T2…this is going to be a VERY interesting race.
I’ll pick Crowie.
What is Craig’s best IM time ever? Has he ever gone sub-8 or anywhere near it? I don’t recall.
The thing is, those super fast times over in Europe have not been the slam-dunk for the IMH win in the past. VanH’s and Raelert’s Euro times are mind-boggling, and compared to Craig’s best at IMH seem to put the 2 time champ way off the back - but this is IMH and the game and the conditions are very different.
I think these three are the main men to watch, but I still like Craig, if he’s within 3 - 4 minutes of these guys off the bike. From the way Craig looked a few weeks ago in Las Vegas, I would say that he’s in the best bike/run shape of his life. If it’s a good day for running, I can see him going close to 2:40 on the run.