Laura Philipp, Justus Nieschlag Win Kraichgau 70.3
Germans Laura Philipp and Justus Nieschlag prevailed at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau on a hot day in the hilly Baden-Wurttemberg region of Germany.
After a COVID-19 infection forced her to miss the Ironman World Championship in St. George, Laura Philipp won Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau in a course record 4:19:04. Fortunately Philipp recovered quickly and made a strong training block that renewed her vaunted leg power that propelled her to a 3:31 margin over fellow German Daniela Bleymehl and 12:20 over third place finisher Julie Lemmolo of France. This performance underlined why she was a co-favorite for the Ironman World Championship.
Coached by Dan Lorang, who helms German Greats Jan Frodeno and Anne Haug, Nieschlag declared pre-race he was eager to advance from his Arena Games success to the 70.3 realm. “
“It’s been some time since my last middle distance race in Mandelieu, France [2020],” he told Tri247 journalists. “I’m really up for the race in Kraichgau to see how I do on the 70.3 distance in the strong starting field.”
Nieschlag led wire-to-wire and broke the course record with a time of 3:48:21, 2:32 ahead of fellow German Frederic Funk and 4:10 ahead of former pro cyclist Ruben Zepuntke of Germany.
Women
Julie Lemmolo of France led the women’s swim in 26:16, which gave her a 33 seconds lead over Philipp and 1:14 ahead of 4th place Daniela Bleymehl of Germany. By 20k into the bike leg, Philipp passed Lemmolo, who managed to hold on to Philipp until 30k into the ride when Lemmolo faded away.
In the second half of the bike leg, Lemmolo continued to struggle while Bleymehl moved past Lemmolo. After a 2:57:27 bike split, Philipp entered T2, with Bleymehl just six seconds behind.
Once on the run, Philipp unleashed her vaunted run strength, and built a 30 seconds lead at 2k. and 1:30 halfway through the 21.1 run split. After a 1:19:21 half marathon, Philipp finished in 4:19:04 with a 3:31 margin on Bleymehl – who won Ironman South Africa earlier this season – and 12:20 on third place Lemmolo.
Men
Primed to attack from the start, Nieschlag led by 25 seconds out of the water. Early on the bike, Nieschlag built a 90 seconds lead over a pack that included Frederic Funk and Ruben Zepuntke of Germany, Phillip Koutny of Switzerland, and Marc Eggeling of Germany.
Closing the door on all potential challengers, Nieschlag issued a 1:12 half marathon to finish in a course record 3:48:21 with a 2:33 advantage on Funk, 4:10 on third place Zepuntke and 6:41 on fourth place Marc Eggeling of Germany.
Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau
Kraichgau, Germany May 29, 2022
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Women
1. Laura Phillip (GER) 4:19:04
2. Daniela Bleymehl (GER) 4:22:35
3. Julie Lemmolo (FRA) 4:31:24
4. Diede Diederiks (NED) 4:32:34
5. Laura Jansen (GER) 4:36:12
Men
1. Justus Nieschlag (GER) 3:48:21
2. Frederic Funk (GER) 3:50:53
3. Ruben Zepuntke (GER) 3:52:31
4. Marc Eggeling (GER) 3:55:02
5. Philipp Koutny (SUI) 3:55:33
