An impressive field for Abu Dhabi
A stellar starter field has been announced for the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon with its unique race distance. 61 professionals have signed up so far and they represent the finest selection of pro long distance triathletes outside of the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Seven of the top 10 males from the inaugural race return to the stunning venue, including defending champion Eneko Llanos. But Dirk Bockel, Rasmus Henning, Frederik Van Lierde, Faris Al-Sultan, Jordan Rapp and Raynard Tissink will all be looking to step up to the very top of the podium and take the $50,000 winner’s check.
"I'm feeling great in my preparation for ADIT, as last year I'm doing my training in Club La Santa in Lanzarote and everything is going perfect. I'm following the same planning as last year, it worked so well and I think is working very well again this year," said defending champion Llanos to slowtwitch. "The field is very deep and I expect a fierce competition, early season races has always been good to me and I'm sure I'll be ready to defend my title in Abu Dhabi."
But there are many more who are eager to foil those plans – among them 2010 Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack and 2008/2009 champion Craig Alexander. But folks better also watch out for 2010 Kona top 10 finishers Marino Vanhoenacker and Timo Bracht. Plus with Tissink, Llanos, Bockel and Al-Sultan, there are 8 of the top 10 Kona finishers present in Abu Dhabi.
Luke McKenzie will be very hungry too after not racing in Kona and the race format certainly should suit bike monsters Bjorn Andersson and Andrew Starykowicz. What about Paul Ambrose, Tim Berkel, Massimo Cigana and Matty Whyte? There are truly too many exceptional athletes on the start list to mention them all here.
The women’s field is led by defending champion Julie Dibens, but she will certainly have her hands full with Caroline Steffen and Leanda Cave. Other serious contenders for the title are Rachel Joyce, Belinda Granger, Jo Lawn, Catriona Morrison, Amy Marsh, Christie Sym and Sonja Tajsich. It also be interesting to watch out for 3-time XTERRA World Champion Melanie McQuaid.
Slowtwitch will be there to bring you amazing coverage.
Race date: March 12th, 2011
Distance: 3k swim / 200k bike / 20k run
Pro men’s field
– Eneko Llanos
– Dirk Bockel
– Rasmus Henning
– Frederik Van Lierde
– Faris Al-Sultan
– Jordan Rapp
– Raynard Tissink
– Paul Ambrose
– Chris McComack
– Bjorn Andersson
– Stephen Bayliss
– Cesar Beilo
– Luke Bell
– Tim Berkel
– Timo Bracht
– Cameron Brown
– Massimo Cigana
– Kieran Doe
– Craig Alexander
– Joe Gambles
– Pedro Gomes
– Justin Granger
– Ben Hoffman
– Martin Jensen
– Paul Matthews
– Luke McKenzie
– Romans Melderis
– Omar Nour
– Graham O’Grady
– Bryan Rhodes
– Josh Ryx
– Andrew Starykowicz
– Rasmus Stubager
– Sylvain Sudrie
– Swen Sundberg
– Kevin Taddonio
– Edo van der Meer
– Marino Vanhoenacker
– Matty Whyte
Pro women’s field
– Julie Dibens
– Leanda Cave
– Caroline Steffen
– Heather Gollnick
– Belinda Granger
– Jessica Jacobs
– Rachel Joyce
– Jo Lawn
– Emma-Kate Lidbury
– Kristin Lie
– Amy Marsh
– Melanie McQuaid
– Kristin Moeller
– Catriona Morrison
– Angela Naeth
– Edith Niederfriniger
– Rachael Paxton
– Lisa Ribes
– Christie Sym
– Sonja Tajsich
– Inka Wachter
More information: abudhabitriathlon.com
