CYCLINGNEWSASIA.COM - Interview

Coach: How To Go Faster; we interview the Ironmen and women of the China Ironman

Written by: Lin Ruobai Date: Thu Apr 08 2010

Want to know how to go faster?  We ask the fastest guys at Ironman China what works for them . . . The China Ironman is finished for another year. As we said in our race preview here, this race has one of the best cycling legs in Asia.  If you don’t fancy doing the swim and run the organisers will help you find some other athletes to form a team, allowing you to concentrate on riding a unique race course.   Once again the race was held in hot conditions - around 37°, and a decent wind kept racers honest on the bike course We were very happy with our predictions pricking of race winners,  getting 3 out of 4 tips right.  Congratulations to the following on a great victory in their respective distances: Ironman Men’s Winner – Luke McKenzie Ironman Women’s Winner – Amy Marsh 70.3 Men’s Winner – Freddie Croneberg 70.3 Women’s Winner – Belinda Granger Cyclingnewsasia spoke with the athletes and asked them for their best advice on how we can go faster:   Ironman Winner – Luke McKenzie   We caught up with Luke the day after his Ironman race victory where he was on route to a well earned 5 day surfing trip holiday in Bali.   Luke looking more relaxed with the pay check in the bank and en-route to 5 days surfing in Bali CNA: Luke, congratulations on the victory, thanks for helping in our tipping. Tell us about how you felt on the course?   Luke McKenzie: Thanks, I am feeling better today than I was after the race. Obviously it was hot on the course but I like the heat. The swim was tough for me as it was 4 lap course and I ending up swimming through the slower swimmers on the 3rd and 4th lap. I knew the wind was making it tough for everyone so I decide to put the hurt on and drive hard. On the run, I was not looking forward to the last 21km of the marathon and with 8km to go I hit the wall and had to come home on mental will power.   CNA: Tell us about your bike? Luke: I am really happy with the Scott.  It fits me really well and I feel I can get good power through the frame onto the road. I have the Zipp 404 on the front and 808s on the rear which I think gave me a real advantage on this type of course (with the cross winds). I also know they are bombproof which is important as some parts of the course are more rural with some holes and deviations.   Luke’s Scott Plasma – one very fast bike CNA: And your targets in 2010?   Luke: Obviously the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii and also Ironman Brazil.  I hope I can get back to China next year but the 2011 race programme is not yet set in stone. CNA: And cycling tips for our readers when they are doing Time Trials?   Luke: Make sure your bike fits well.  Get a proper bike fit you are comfortable with. There is no point in being aero if you are not comfortable of you can’t get the power out. CNA: Thanks Luke – enjoy the holiday.