Hodge, Sheedy-Ryan take Busso
20-year old Aussie James Hodge surprised quite a few seasoned Pros at the SunSmart Ironman 70.3 Busselton by winning the event in 3:55:08. Felicity Sheedy-Ryan ran down Lisa Marangon and Kate Bevilaqua to take the women's title.
The men
Dylan McNeice and Grahanm O'Grady were first out of the water in Busselton, but James Hodge was pretty close and exited the water in third position about 20 seconds behind McNeice. Hodge though soon charged into the lead and used a 2:07:43 bike split to reach the bike-run transition in first place. Luke McKenzie was next in transition and he was followed by Matty White who recorded the quickest time on the bike, a very fine 2:06:06. Hodge continued to look great on the run too and although White managed to run a few seconds faster, he was not able to catch the young Pro. Hodge crossed the line in 3:55:08 to take the win and should really be proud of this performance. White finished in second position and Callum Millward stormed through the field to take third.
The women
After a very fine opening swim Lisa Marangon used a race best 2:20:07 bike split to lead the Pro women into the second transition. She however had Belinda Granger and Kate Bevilaqua breathing down her neck. Felicity Sheedy-Ryan reached the bike-run transition in 5th position quite a few minutes down, but it was soon apparent that this 27-year old Aussie was the fastest on the run course. She moved quickly past those who had started the run before her, but Bevilaqua proved to be a tougher assignment. Bevilaqua was running well too and had taken over the lead from Marangon, but Sheedy-Ryan kept coming closer and closer. A 1:20:24 run allowed Sheedy-Ryan to move into first position very late in the run, but in perfect time to take the win. Bevilaqua hing on to second place and Marangon finished third.
SunSmart Ironman 70.3 Busselton
Busselton, Australia / May 5, 2012
1.2m swim / 56m bike / 13.1m run
Top men
1. James Hodge (AUS) 3:55:08
2. Matty White (AUS) 3:56:33
3. Callum Millward (AUS) 3:58:07
4. Luke McKenzie (AUS) 4:00:51
5. Graham O'Grady (NZL) 4:01:28
6. Mike Gee (AUS) 4:02:02
7. Guy Crawford (AUS) 4:03:00
8. Matt Bailey (AUS) 4:03:53
9. John Polson (AUS) 4:04:44
10. Michael Kent (AUS) 4:09:57
Top women
1. Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS) 4:21:27
2. Kate Bevilaqua (AUS) 4:22:29
3. Lisa Marangon (AUS) 4:24:46
4. Belinda Granger (AUS) 4:28:39
5. Michelle Wu (AUS) 4:28:50
6. Rebecca Hoschke (AUS) 4:38:27
7. Ange Castle (AUS) 4:40;39
8. Rachael Paxton (AUS) 4:43:58
9. Anna-Lee Hazell (AUS) 4:44:13 * AG W25-29
10. Katey Gibb (AUS) 4:47:30
