Frades, Taccone Survive Late Challenges at Hot Cozumel 70.3
Spaniard Gurutze Frades and Argentine Luciano Taccone both survived the scorching Mexican heat and close battles to win the women’s and men’s edition of Ironman 70.3 Cozumel.
In a race that saw eye-popping swim times due to a favorable current that propelled athletes, both Frades and Taccone were involved in late race duels from competitors who would struggle in the closing stages of the race. Temperatures reached 89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) on a sunny Mexican day.
Frades ran an astonishing 1:21:48 run leg to win the women’s race by more than five minutes in 4:13:46. It was the sixth fastest run split of the day regardless of gender.
Taccone had the fastest bike and run split of the day to take home the men’s victory in 3:43:48 with a 4:50 margin of victory over fellow Argentinian Flavio Morandini.
Women’s Race
In the five-woman field it was Argentinian Romina Palacio who finished the swim first in 24:19. American Amy Cymerman was close behind, with large gaps between the rest of the professional women. Frades was 1:45 down after the swim.
Cymerman quickly took the lead on the bike leg and built a two minute lead over Frades by transition. However it was the Spaniards blazing run that defined the race. Frades averaged 3:55 per kilometer to Cymerman’s 4:19.
The Spaniard passed the American around kilometer 17, and Cymerman’s struggled in the final stages of the half-marathon due to the fierce heat. Frades crossed the line 5:35 quicker than Cymerman, who finished in 4:19:21.
1. Gurutze Frades (ESP) 4:13:46
2. Amy Cymerman (USA) 4:19:21
3. Palmira Alvarez (MEX) 4:32:35
4. Romina Palacio (ARG) 4:39:44
5. Anne Basso (FRA) 5:01:09
Men’s Race
American Marc Kubrick led a pack of four men out of the water in 20:08. Argentinian Taccone exited the water in 9th and 1:18 down on the leaders.
Taccone quickly joined a bike pack of four other riders, and in the final 18 kilometers of the bike leg built a 30 second lead. However on the run, Dutchman Youri Keulen had a strong start and passed Taccone. The two battled with each other until the Argentinian pulled away. Keulen retired on the run in the hot conditions. Once Taccone broke free from the Dutchman he cruised to a comfortable victory.
With the fastest run split of the day that averaged 3:41 per kilometer, the Argentinian’s victory was never really in doubt and he won by nearly five minutes.
1. Luciano Taccone (ARG) 3:43:48
2. Flavio Morandini (ARG) 3:48:39
3. Marc Dubrick (USA) 3:50:56
4. Kevin Jervis (USA) 3:56:42
5. Joaquin Pereda (MEX) 3:57:34
6. Emmanuel Lejeune (BEL) 4:02:30
Photo Credit: IRONMAN Mexico
