Which Pros Will Race Vegas 70.3 Worlds?
- By Julia Polloreno
- Published Jul 15, 2011
The date and location change have made this race more appealing to several pros.
You can expect the return of some familiar 70.3 series faces for the 2011 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, but don’t count out some Ironman-focused pros who will race this year’s 70.3 worlds in lead up to Kona.
Here’s who’s all in for Vegas this September 11, assuming they meet the qualification standards.
The Men
Michael Raelert
The two-time defending 70.3 world champion, Raelert rarely loses at the distance. With the venue’s change to Vegas, the German star is out to prove that he’s worthy of the world champion title on any course.
Craig Alexander
Alexander races his best in the weeks leading up to Kona. He recently said his best race the past three years has been Muskoka 70.3 in Canada, which is four weeks out from Kona. Muskoka will be replaced by Vegas this year, and he’s fired up to reclaim the 70.3 world champ title, which he first won in 2006.
Terenzo Bozzone
One of the youngest top pros on the circuit at age 26, the New Zealand native has multiple half-ironman victories to his credit—including the 2008 70.3 world championship.
Joe Gambles
Gambles has made victory at this year’s 70.3 worlds his explicit goal for the 2011 season. With course records at Ironman 70.3 Lakes Stevens and Vineman 70.3, Gambles has shown he’s a formidable competitor at the half-iron distance.
Filip Ospaly
A short-course specialist with an ITU racing background, Ospaly finished second to Michael Raelert at last year’s 70.3 world championship by a minute and a half.
Andy Potts
He’s been more focused on 70.3s in recent seasons, as it’s proven to be his racing “sweet spot.”
Maxim Kriat
Kriat, 26, is a specialist at the half-iron distance, racing eight 70.3 events last year and placing in the top 6 six times—including course record-breaking wins at 70.3 Augusta and 70.3 Mooseman.
Michael Weiss
The 30-year-old Olympian (2004) and Ironman champion (2010 St. George) is another versatile triathlete who excels in everything from Xterra off-road racing to Ironman.
Luke Bell
Bell raced three 70.3 races and an Ironman over the span of six weeks, finishing atop the podium every time.
Sebastian Keinle
The German, considered by many to be one of Europe’s brightest pro prospects for his immense cycling strength, knows what it takes to beat rival countryman and defending champion Michael Raelert. He’s dueled with Raelert at the 70.3 distance, beating him at the 2009 70.3 European Championship.
Paul Matthews
A member of the Trek/K-Swiss team, the Aussie hails from an ITU background but has dedicated himself to 70.3 racing.
FILED UNDER: Features / Kona 2011 TAGS: Ironman 70.3 World Championships / Las Vegas
Julia Polloreno
As Editor-in-Chief of Triathlete magazine, Polloreno oversees the monthly magazine’s content and production. A Stanford University graduate with an award-winning track record in publishing, Polloreno is an Ironman finisher and has been a competitive triathlete for more than a decade.