The top 4 from last year are the top 4 seeds
Cameron Brown
Clas Bjorling
Bjorn Anderson
Gordo Byrn
(not sure if I got the order right)
I’m pretty sure the winner is gonna be one of these lads and my money is on Cameron doing it YET again, but after Kona last year (34th?) and failing to defend his 6 year winning streak at Port of Tauranga 1/2 IM, (4th?) I am less sure than in past years.
Who’s your pick? I guess as bike geeks, many of us will be rooting for Mr A.
i want gordo to win. but theyre all monsters
I’m rooting for Gordo. I like all he does for the sport, and I take solace in the fact that he started late and still has great results.
-C
I think Cam has the leg speed to beat everyone one of these guys. He hasn’t really been tested in the past three years here - and could probably run faster then last year’s 2:47 if needed. He ran well at Tauranga so the only thing that’s skeptical now is his swimming - his last two races he’s lost the race in the water. He’s been consistent at Taupo in the water so that shouldn’t hurt him here.
I think after Hawaii this year no one will let a cyclist as far out of sight - even one without a strong IM marathon to his credit like Bjorn. He will probably be first off the bike - unless he’s still injured and it doesn’t sound like he is - with Kieran Doe 2nd off the bike and Cam / Clas / Gordo all in close pursuit. Gordo will do well, but will not want to take the risks necessary to win a race like this. I think Cam will surprise on the bike and run down Kieran and Bjorn for the win.
I say:
Cam
Kieran
Gordo
Clas
Bjorn
Finally i’ll put Bryan Rhodes as a dark horse, but he always seems to have trouble here - he will swim great, ride ok but I think will get picked off by the fast runners for a 6 - 9th finish.
Clas Bjorling is ready to take the next step, IMO, and I think we may see a changing of the guard this weekend.
I don’t think Cam will take this one. The odds just seem to be in favor of one of Clas/Bjorn/Gordo having a spectacular day and that is all any one of them would need to take the race. No idea which of 3 might have it on the day, but I’m going to say one the 3 will be on top at the end.
Indeed.
I mean, at the front of the race is it beyond the realms of possibility that those three could ‘team’ up on Cam? By that I mean, try to force him out of his comfort zone all day.
Not suggesting for a second that they would cheat, just cooperate in a legal fashion.
I think that both Björn and Clas are ready to win with Gordo in close pursuit. As far as I know they´re all one notch fitter this year and have been improving on their respective weak link; Clas and Gordos swim and Björns run.
They all seem to go in to this race with a quiet confidence about them so I´d say that Team HOP will definitely give Cam a run for his money!
I strongly believe that Gordo can do it this year. Though Mister Brown will give him a fight. It is going to be an exciting day.
Cameron Brown
.
Ok Ok…
I have the day off on Sat and I am back in Perth. I will be parked up on the couch with the internet going. The phone will not be answered and nothing will be done apart from beer drunk and unhealthy, highly salted snacks consumed. The race will be followed, intensely… but…
I want to make it interesting. With a lot of people talking about the demise of Cameron Brown and that the boys from the HOP’s time has come I want to take a paypal bet to the tune of $50 us for anyone that wants to take everyone else. ie if Cameron wins you paypal me $50 us and if someone else wins then I paypal you $50.
I belive this to be fairly even odds although the one guy that makes me sweat on this the most is the Baron. You just know he will ride strong and then destroy the run, how much quicker will he be in the lake this year? If he has got a 54min swim in him then holly hell it is game on and the odds just swung in his favour. Gordo - super consistent across the board - can he find just a couple more mins in each discipline to get the win, his time will come, will it be Sat? Bjorn - everyone knows that he is just a 3hr marathon away from everyone else playing for second - the aerobic engine is there… will the body hold together.
Dont get me wrong I would love to see one of the HOP lads win it but I’ll bet with my head…
So who is up for the bet - first person to answer the challenge on this board (not PM) has the bet - (make sure you have paypal account ready to give or receive.)
PS anyone that is going to be spectating on the course on Sat and will have a NZ Mbl phone with them and doesn’t mind receiving a couple of calls during the day to give me updates? If so PM me with your number.
Cheers and good luck to everyone racing.
Adam Gudsell
The Doodes:
1- Clas
2- Cameron
3-Gordo
The Cheeks:
1- Kate Major
2-Jo Lawn
I hope Gordo finds another gear at the end and takes it all though…I’m a late bloomer too…and he gives us all hope.
Unless you have an inside scoop, I am pretty sure Kate Major isn’t racing (think I saw her name down for Arizona??)
Just seen Paul Amey’s name on the mens pro field list. He certainly has the potential to be very dangerous but unless he has beeen doing the long course specifics it might just all be “piss and wind”
Unless you have an inside scoop, I am pretty sure Kate Major isn’t racing (think I saw her name down for Arizona??)
Adam-
I stand corrected!
I thought for sure she would have picked NZ over AZ.
Bump… Come on guys, there has to be a betting man out there somewhere!
*You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, **know when to run ! ***
I’ll be pulling for G to.
Just based on an extention of his almost straight linear improvement, he should win it, if he is able to keep the improvement going. The only thing that may be working against him is that he has not had a true IM blow-up, which almost everyone has. I wish hime the best and I would really like to see him win one.
Fleck
Just a gut hunch - Clas might do it. Watch Bjorn be a monster on the bike.
Come on… go out on a limb and take my bet (see above)
Of course Clas might do it and Bjorn will be a monster on the bike.
I want someone to put their $ where their keyboard is;-)
Cameron Brown
.
hey sac, where have you been? there’s been a real shortage of sac (smartasscomments) lately.