Kona 09 Race Day – Men’s Bike
In 2004 and 2006 Normann Stadler proved you can win it on the bike. But as Stadler proved, you must also reserve enough energy to defend that lead on the run. This year Chris Lieto's 4:25:10 bike appeared to be the possible equal of Stadler's 2006 course record and probably a better effort than Torbjorn Sindballe's swift 2005 trip up and down the Queen K. That's because October 10 was sneaky hot with an aggravating dose of not so brisk winds that kept shifting in the riders' faces all day long. The resultant wear and tear led to DNFs for an all-star cast — Tim DeBoom, Patrick Vernay, Thomas Hellriegel, Michael Goehner, Marino Vanhoenacker, Normann Stadler, and a wicked noble but achingly slow 5:38:43 marathon after a third-best 4:31:36 bike for 6-foot 5-inch Ain Alar-Juhanson.
So Lieto earned his best-ever second place finish not only with a great ride, but also for reserving enough energy to hold off Craig Alexander's run until the 22nd mile of the marathon.
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While rookie Philip Graves surmised he would lead the bike, veteran Chris Lieto talked withy his pedals and attracted a line of photographers as his lead grew.
Lieto, who carefully measured his seat position to the millimeter with Retul and consulted with Trek engineers on the design of his new sled, kept the run in mind all day: "I'm trying to win, not set a bike record."
Lieto also calculated his necessary caloric intake to the gram in consultation with Base Nutrition. Fuel up for fast times on Queen K.
Craig Alexander seems to have a clock in his head: I can win if I come in within 10 minutes of certain killer bikers. Lieto rides 4:25:10? OK, I'll ride 4:37:33 again, just like last year.
Alexander calculated his energy perfectly on the bike and felt comfortable from the start of the run.
Andreas Raelert was used to riding 40 kilometers in his ITU days. Now he's throwing down a 4:38:00 bike followed by a 2:51:04 run. Good enough for third in his rookie effort.
Chris McCormack thought he needed to out ride Alexander to regain his 2007 crown. With a 4:32:44 bike, he executed his plan, but the effort led to cramps on the run and a fall to fourth place with a 2:55:48 marathon – ten minutes off his best.
With Lieto off the front, the serious chase group got to work coming back from Hawi.
Thanks to the foreshortening telephoto lens, the legal 10 meters spacing looks like an ITU pack.
Rasmus Henning of Denmark rode with his right hand broken in a practice ride three weeks prior. "I think I dropped 50 water bottles at the aid stations," he said after he equaled Crowie's ride and hung tough for 5th with a 2:55:33 marathon. "I know KI can do much better next time," said Henning. Watch out!
Stormin' Normann Stadler rode a 4:30:39, but got sick on the run and dropped out.
Philip Graves, the youngest Ironman winner ever at age 20, followed in Macca's brasah rookie footsteps when he declared he would like to win this race 5-6-7 times. When the day was done, Graves rode 4:44:25 and shuffled home in 41st place with a survival-mode 3:37:35 marathon. Next time.
Ain Alar Juhanson rode a third-fastest 4:31:36 bike but limped home with a 5:38:43 marathon.
In training, Tim DeBoom was looking as strong as he was in 2001, and raised hope among his legions of fans. But the power was not with him on the day and he did not finish the bike.
In 1995 and 1996 he pushed Mark Allen and Luc Van Lierde to the max. In 1997, he beat Jurgen Zack to take the crown, In those days and for years afterward, Thomas 'Hell on Wheels' Hellriegel struck fear into the hearts of his competitors. On this day, Hellriegel rode 5:00:05 and did not finish the run.
Eneko Llanos finished second last year. This year, Madame Pele was not so kind to the talented Spaniard. Llanos rode 4:37:17 and ran 3:05:02 for 14th place.
Luc Van Lierde set the still standing race record of 8:04:08 in 1996 and won again in 1999. This year the 40-year-old Belgian rode 4:49:49 and only had enough energy left to run 3:29:45 to finish 40th in 9:14:59. While there is honor in finishing out a tough day, it's even tougher when Wellington uncorks a 8:54:02.
Andreas Niedrig beat the devils of his addiction, but Madame Pele overmatched him this day.
Kona Rookie Terenzo Bozzone – a world champion at the Ironman 70.3 distance – kept his cool, rode 4:37:25, ran 3:02:46 and came home 11th.
Faris Al-Sultan, the 2005 Ironman World Champion, was not at his best but gave it his all and came in 10th place.
Timo Bracht stayed out of trouble all day, rode 4:33:49, ran 2:56:27 and finished an honorable 6th place.
