Day 3 in the triathletemag house and i am ready for all your awesome questions on the mens race. Hit me up
A question from Fabrice Paquet: Craig Alexander? Can he do this 4 time, it would be nice, but on race day everything can happened....
I get to see Crowie training a fair bit in Kona. He is in great shape, and has prepared as well as he did last year. I believe the fitness is there....so yes he has the ability to do it again. But as you say anything can happen race day. The hardest thing i believe he has to deal with...is he as hungry as he was last year? does he have the same desire and determination? We will see....
Kris Dupuis asks: MACCA... And then he'll write a book about how the olympic team gig was just a cover. All along he was prepping for Kona...
Macca will be ready. I dont think he puts himself on the startline unless he feels he will at least be in contention. I think he will either be right up there for the win....or out of it. Just personal opinion on that one
WIthout Lieto in the race i think the dynamics of the race will change. People almost expected him to be off the front and coming into T2 first. The front mens pack has the potential to be huge..30-35 guys. Someone will ...or has to go for it if they want to shake things up. Some one Mckenzie may make a move to get some time coming into T2. What i think adds to it is the small group that could come from behind with some uber bikers like Kienle, Lowe, Schildknecht.
Dave Tunney says the person who leads off the bike won't finish in the top 10 this year. Julie, as a strong rider yourself, do you think hammering the bike can be an effective strategy this year?
There is a huge difference between hammering the bike, and trying to capitalise on your bike strength. People like myself and Lieto often get harrassed for "biking too hard" and then fading on the run. But u have to play to your strengths. Mckensie, Kienle, Lowe while solid runners in their own rights, know that to win the race they need a few mins on the likes of Crowie, Jacobs, Raleart. WHen you are a strong biker, it is a fine line between capitalizing on your strength (the bike) but leaving something in the tank for the run
Ive heard that Kienle has said he is here to learn. While this may be true i wouldn't count him out. He showed in Galveston earlier in the year, and recently in Vegas that he not only is one of the most talented riders out there, but that he has the balls to go for the win. In Vegas he showed he is a great runner too when he held on the for the win. He has the advantage that he is coming in here blind, and with no pressure. I think he could surprise himself and alot of the other guys. Potential to be a big upset here
Dibs, many favorites are back but is there a darkhorse you think can make a breakthrough?
I'm picking to of my country men as my dark horses. Tom Lowe, and Paul Amey. Tom, despite breaking his hand about 5-6 weeks ago is a machine. He is tommy the tank, and i think is one of the strongest riders out there. For a big guy he runs really really well too. Paul is a cagey little fighter, if he can hang on the bike, he can run like the best of them, and with his small size could do really well here
I dont think of Jordan as a darkhorse. he is a legit contender
2:40 on the run here is fast. The conditions are deceptive. Ive been here for 2 weeks now, and it doesn't feel too hot until you start doing stuff and then you just start sweating. Its unreal. Just the humidity. The wind really has been light compared to the last few years too. Yes some guys are capable of it, but this race is crazy. If anyone does it will be Jacobs, Crowie or Andreas
No i dont think so. Crowie is the complete athlete this year, like last year. He is super strong and confident with his biking, and isn't afraid to go for it. I just don't see anyone closing down on crowie from behind. You want to beat him, you need to come into T2 with him or ahead of him
Do you think Andy Potts is going to try and charge off the front after the swim again? He had a great debut here years ago but hasn't matched that performance since. How high up the rankings can the American go on his best day?
I think Andy has learned alot from his past performances here. I think this year he will try and conserve energy as much as possible. Lead out of the swim, and then pretty much wait for the group to catch him. I think he knows he is not going to stay away by himself. The guys ride the first 40km so fast, he is better of riding at a steady pace, and conserving. He has also had a lighter race schedule this year which i think is great. Has the ability to go top 5 for sure
Last time Macca raced in Kona, he and Andreas Raelert shook hands with just a couple miles left in the run before duking it out for the world title. What kind of gamesmanship do you think we could see out there?
Thats a great question. Alot of people have been saying that they hope that its a close race with Macca and Crowie sprinting down the finishshoot on ALi'i. We all know Macca likes to think he is the king of the mind games....
Word is Michi has been a little sick this week. Sometimes that works out in your favor because it enforces you to really freshen up, so people def shouldn't count him out. Its the first time we have also seen Andreas and Michi race together...will their be team tactics.... Deep down, i dont think he will be a factor this year....but i hope he proves me wrong cos i;m a big Michael R fan.
Nicholas: The go tigers helps...but i'd say slim to none. She's all loved up, and engaged to the heartthrob that is Tim O'Donnell.
I dont think Rasmus has done the work that he has in the past. The big advantage that he has is that he is coming in with a totally different mental attitude. He is relaxed, and sometimes we race the best ever when relaxed. He is a great guy, and really hope he goes out with a cracking result....if he remembers to take his swimskin off :)
Right gotta go. Off to chat with Bob Babbitt. Tomorrow we will chat about the most important part of the race....the Womens race. Until manana
Kienle, Macca, or Crowie RT @TriathleteMag Who do you think is going to lead the men's race off the bike?by drewgreaves27 via twitter 10/11/2012 7:01:55 PM
by AlwaysTri23 via twitter 10/11/2012 7:13:22 PM
