Like many folks, I’m a big Walton fan (Larsen, too).
But, this race will come down to the last kilo between DeBoom and Lessing.
Wild card: Larsen is an outstanding uphill runner.
I love Larsen. Besides Peter Reid (and myself :)), he’s my favorite triathlete. However, Lessing i think has the guns to take this. DeBoom won’t see him in the last km. Not a chance. And it won’t go under 4. Macca is one of the best non-drafting triathletes at the olympic distence, and he only went 4:03 and change. and that was on a perfect day. he was pushed by other fast athletes. Way under four is out of the question.
tommy
I think a half is to short for the long course guy’s to get up to speed.
Plus none of the long course guys could hang head to head with a short course guy in the swim or run…at least I dont think so.
Maybe I should have defined way under - what I meant was 3:58ish rather than 3:59:59.
McCormack went 4:00:12 in 2001 and Legh went 4:01:?? in 2000.
Deboom just ran 1:13 to win the Cali half where he was #2 on the bike (22 seconds behind Lieto). He was also #2 on the swim leg. My guess is he’ll be somewhere near Lessing.
However, I watched Lessing stomp McCormack last year at Treasure Island, and he’s definitely got the goods too.
Should be a great race - too bad I’ll only see the swim part.
You know. that is a good point about DeBoom at Oceanside. That was a tough bike course and he had a great time (this coming from a confirmed non-fan of Tim deBoom). His bike form may be good enough to keep him close enough at T2 to run through the few people that will be up the road on him. This is definitely a “little guys” run, so DeBoom and Brown should be able to move-up. My only question about Brown is if he has the bike speed he needs to stay close to this field. As for Walton vs. Larsen, I am biased, and while I think that Walton is a very fast cyclist, especially over a flat 40K course, I think that the Wildflower course is as ideal for Steve as it is disadvantageous for Walton. That said, there is enough flat and downhill ou there that Walton can certainly do some damage.
The really neat thing about the Wildflower run is that the racers will get very few visual clues as to the whereabout of their competition. They will have no “long looks” until the top of the mile 4-5 hill and then not again until they run down and back up the road at around miles 10-11. I would imagine that makes for a very mentally tough effort from the chasers
Unfortunately Simon is sick. He won’t race.
So, nobody will win!!!
Really?
bummer.
In that case, it’s Walton all the way. Wire to wire. He also does not have an Ironman in his legs this early oin the year, whereas a few of the other contenders do. I would love to see Peter do well and I give the best shot to stealing the race from Waldo to Cam, as long as he can keep his hands on his waterbottles this time.
For the woman, Katja in a repeat, with my hope of Heather running her down.
Now who wants to take bets on the Slowman vs. Plumb Power showdown?
Dan has thrown the guntlet down (numerous times).
Good luck, Garth!!! Go, Tiger!!!
Bob Sigerson