The Rev3 Pro Final Countdown
Brit Tim Don and Czech Radka Vodickova captured the final Rev3 Pro purses at the popular Rev3 Knoxville event today thanks to fast closing runs. But in case you worried, Rev3 is not planning to go away.
Cameron Dye was first out of the Tennessee River in 23:01 with Kyle Leto, Eric Limkemann and Kevin Collington not far behind. The 68 degree water temps made this a wetsuit legal affair.
Dye continued to set a hard pace on the bike and after a 1:36:19 split led the men into T2 with Andrew Yoder close behind after a race best 1:35:15. Andrew Starykowicz reached the bike-run transition about a minute later with a 1:36:09 split.
But a bit further back Tim Don and Kevin Collington looked to be in great spots despite barely getting sub 1:40.
Dye was running well, but Don and Collington were moving faster. Don caught the leader 7.5 miles into the 9.8 mile run and then it was good night from there. Collington managed to get closer too, but could not capture the runner-up spot. At the end Don's winning time of 2:58:08 was a minute quicker than the second place time of Dye, and Collington finished third 1:13 after Dye.
"It was a tough course with lots of rolling hills. It reminded me a little bit of England with the lush green country side," said Don. "Come the run, you know, I got into a good rhythm and I knew I had good legs. So I could do my thing, and yes, good day at the office. It's always nice to get the win especially in such a world class field. Early season was a success for me after a good month of training – now on to Europe for a few more races in June and July."
Don also added a few thoughts about this being the final Pro purse race of Rev3.
"I have enjoyed all 3 of my Rev3 races – a very chill atmosphere and well organized races. All the Pros love the vibe, they will be missed," said Don to slowtwitch.
Runner-up Cameron Dye also talked about his race and the demise of the Pro purse to slowtwitch.
"On the whole I was really happy with my race. I stuck to my plan and the only guy that could catch me is an ITU World Champ," said Dye. "Knoxville has been a fantastic host to a great race, and I'm really sad this was the last one for the Pros."
"It was a fast day and I'm happy with my effort. Good to be racing healthy again," said 4th place getter Andrew Yoder.
Not surprisingly swim ace Haley Chura was first out of the water in 24:32 and Jennifer Spieldenner and Anna Cleaver also had a fast swims, but were 20 + seconds behind Chura. Chura however struggled with her wetsuit in transition and that allowed Spieldenner and Cleaver to leave T1 first.
Malaika Homo ended up with the best bike split in a time of 1:53:02, but it was Jillian Petersen who led the Pro females back home after a 1:55:18 effort on the bike. Vodickova reached the second transition within striking distance of Petersen and with Goss right on her heels. Spieldenner no longer was in contention as she was taken out of the race with a double flat earlier.
Vodickova quickly shed the other competitors and pulled away for a convincing win in 3:21:421. Petersen held on to second place in 3:23:20, but Goss had to let both Rebeccah Wassner and Mandy McLane go by at the end and finished 5th.
"My coach promised me already in December, that this Rev3 will be the first race since Olympics 2012 that I will be really tapering for," said Vodickova to slowtwitch. "I hate tapering, especially because it also means that I can not eat as much as I am used to. But it looks like it paid off. It is really shame, that this was the last Rev3 race for professionals."
The Pros who competed here shared a $75,000 purse, and an additional $100,000 for the series was on the line too. Eric Limkemann and Radka Vodickova were the 2014 series champions.
But moving forward there will not be a Pro purse at Rev3 events, instead amateurs and elite athletes will fight for a $4,999 purse at selected Rev 3 races.
Revolution 3 Knoxville
Knoxville, TN, USA / May 18, 2014
1.2m swim / 40m bike / 9.8m run
Top men
1. Tim Don (GBR) 2:58:08
2. Cameron Dye (USA) 2:59:09
3. Kevin Collington (USA) 3:00:22
4. Andrew Yoder (USA) 3:01:41
5. Andrew Starykowicz (USA) 3:02:52
Top women
1. Radka Vodickova (CZE) 3:21:41
2. Jillian Petersen (USA) 3:23:20
3. Rebeccah Wassner (USA) 3:27:09
4. Mandy McLane (USA) 3:27:45
5. Lauren Goss (USA) 3:28:31
