The Monaco Ironman 70.3 which took place for the 4th time in the principality of Monaco attracted 1120 athletes and more spectators than ever before. The German Andreas Raelert won the race with Austria’s newcomer Michi Weiss on the 2nd place and Sebastian Kienle on the 3rd (GER). On the women’s side Nicola Spirig crossed the finish line first.
1.9km SWIM, 90km BIKE and 21.1km RUN which in total are 70.3 miles in American measures. This was the distance that had to be mastered at the Monaco IRONMAN 70.3, with a bike course covering an altitude of 1.542 meters and a 4,5 lap semi marathon on the worldwide well known Formula 1 course. At 7.00 am today the sea was calm when 1.120 athletes from 40 countries rushed into the waters of Larvotto beach, heading on the first leg of the race. It was Stephane Poulat (FRA) who came out of the water first, namely in 0:23:39 - more than one minute ahead the chasing group. Behind him, Andreas Raelert from Germany and Andrea Daquino from Italy were the first to follow him to the transition. Virginia Berasategui (ESP) was the first of the female professionals to touch solid ground (0:26:13), leaving Nicola Spirig (SUI) and Catriona Morrison (GBR) behind her.
The bike course between La Turbie and all the way to Col de Nice, where H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco was personally applauding the athletes, was very demanding. The climbs alternated with very technical downhills. The streets were still slippery and wet from the rainy night and that didn’t make it easier for the athletes. Andreas Raelert was leading the group on the bike for the first twenty kilometres. Then the Austrian newcomer Michi Weiss, a former Mountainbike pro, took the lead in front of the German Sebastian Kienle and Realert. Weiss was the first in the transition area (2:58:23) for the run and was chased by a group consisting of Kienle, Raelert, Elgezabal, Fernandez, Wild and Cigana. On the women’s side Spirig took the lead before Christel Robin (FRA) and Morrison.
The Mirabeau curve, the Rascasse and the Tunnel Louis II are the key areas of the Formula 1 Grand Prix track in Monaco. At the IRONMAN 70.3 the triathletes have the opportunity to experience how steep the climbs and the descents are on the track. Weiss kept his lead two minutes ahead the chasers Kienle and Raelert on the running course until kilometre 15. Then Raelert overtook him and Weiss couldn’t hold his pace anymore.
The German Andreas Raelert won in 4:10:10 with the Austrian Michi Weiss coming 2nd (4:14:12) and the German Sebastian Kienle taking the 3rd place (4:14:48).
On the women’s side Nicole Spirig (SUI) crossed the finish line first in 4:37:12 leaving Catriona Morrison (GBR) in 4:41:12 and Virginia Berasategui (ESP) in 4:44:25 behind her.
Monaco Ironman 70.3
7 September 2008
1.9km SWIM | 90km BIKE | 21.1km RUN
30 qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship on 10 October 2009 Hawaii
50 qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on 9 November 2008 Florida
Athletes representing 40 nations
9 hours and more of show & sports on race day
3 days of triathlon on the Esplanade du Larvotto
www.monaco-ironman.com
Top 3 Men - Photo: ©Gleiss
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