McCormack, Csomor top Rimini
Two time Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack and seven-time Powerman Zofingen winner Erika Csomor won the inaugural Challenge Rimini Half on a day beset by high winds and strong waves.
Thomas Steiner of Germany cut through the high waves and strong currents of the 1900 meter swim (cut short for safety reasons) in 18:02, followed 11 seconds later by a group of five led by the 40-year-old McCormack.
On the bike, the chase pack soon caught and passed Steiner. Italian rider Massimo Cigana led the lead pack of McCormack, Daniel Fontana and Alessandro Degasperi through the hills that constituted what McCormack called one of the toughest bike courses anywhere. Proof of that were the leading splits ranging from 2:26:20 for former pro cyclist Cigana to 2:28:28 Degasperi, to 2:28:32 for Fontana to 2:28:48 for McCormack.
The leading trio took off together on the run until McCormack and Fontana finally separated themselves from Degasperi on their way to race-fastest 1:12:06 and 1:12:09 splits. When the race came down to the final 100 meters, McCormack broke Fontana and took the win in 4:01:57 with a 3 seconds margin. Degasperi finished off with a 1:13:49 run to take 3rd in 4:03:41.
In the women’s race, Lucie Zelenkova Reed of the Czech Republic led the turbulent swim in 19:36, which gave her a 1:54 lead on Diana Riesler, 2:52 on Csomor, and 5:29 on Camilla Lindholm of Sweden.
Csomor and Riesler posted race-best bike splits of 2:48:48 and 2:49:01 respectively, gapping Lindholm (2:52:48 bike split) and Zelenkova Reed (3:00:36).
Csomor’s 2nd-fastest 1:24:15 run topped Riesler’s 1:26:54 effort by 2:39, providing the Hungarian with a 4:39:34 finish and a 2:02 margin of victory. Riesler’s runner-up finish was her first race back since a major accident on the bike at Challenge Copenhagen last year. Lindholm ran a race-best 1:22:33 half marathon to take 3rd in 4:44:32.
Challenge Rimini
Rimini, Italy
May 26, 2013
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Results
Men
1. Chris McCormack (AUS) 4:01:57
2. Daniel Fontana (ITA) 4:02:00
3. Alessandro Degasperi (ITA) 4:03:41
4. Massimo Cigana (ITA) 4:07:26
5. Erik Simon Strijk (NED) 4:10-:24
Women
1. Erika Csomor (HUN) 4:39:34
2. Diana Riesler (GER) 4:41:36
3. Camilla Lindholm (SWE) 4:44:32
4. Lucie Zelenkova (CZE) 4:53:42
5. Gabriella Zelinka (HUN) 4:55:05
