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FIRSTOFFTHEBIKE.COM
McKenzie's beautiful victory - Ironman Brazil
Luke McKenzie should never have won Ironman Brazil. There were a myriad of reasons as to why this was to be the case but for all intents and purposes Luke McKenzie's day should have netted him around 3rd at best. The field of locals that assembled at Ironman Brazil were some of the best in the world and they had the track record to prove it. The two big dogs who were expected to hand out the pain in Eduardo Sturla and Oscar Galindez were an unknown force but with 6 wins between them meant that tipping them over would be a mammoth task.
The McKenzie style of racing and the overall psyche that he has maintained over the past three years would have made a mockery of the last few statements. McKenzie believes that he can win every race that he starts and the more he wins the more the triathlon world will sit up and take notice of him on the start line. And while we don't want to be speaking ill of any Ironman victory this might just be the most satisfying one that McKenzie has clicked in his career for two reasons. The first would be the calibre of field that he beat and the second is the world class time (8:07) that he clocked in this classic win.
If soccer is considered the beautiful game then Luke McKenzie's win on Sunday in Brazil in triathlon terms was beautiful. Leading out of the water McKenzie made an honest race of it as he was alone for his work day which finished with 7 minutes of overtime as 8 hours later he was still alone and leading. A 3 minute lead out of the water courtesy of his number one weapon meant some clear road. His rivals were struggling including pre race favorite Reinaldo Colucci.
Halfway through the bike Colucci was making a gentle exit through the rear of the group and his day was done. At the end of the bike and into T2 McKenzie, still alone and without the pacing help of the chase group switched into run mode and took off in search of Ironman win number 5 knowing that the battle was about to heat up. The bike times were proof of a very fast day with Galindez – 4:24:49, Sturla – 4:24:55 and McKenzie 4:26:50. With only a 2 minute gap he would have to run for his life.
We pegged the women's race last week as a parade for Tereza Macel. A big statement perhaps but the race was always going to be made by herself and Dede Griesbauer. A two horse race/slugfest was ensuing. For Macel the wraps on her have been huge and she is starting to live up to the hype. Macel has long been thought of as one of the best swim bikers in the world but on this occasion Griesbauer was holding her own.
With the field imploding behind Luke McKenzie ran himself into history and into one of the fastest times of the season. His marathon was strong as he completed his beautiful victory the crowd went wild no doubt appreciating what he was achieving.
Macel was running hard in the marathon and it wasn't long before she had broken the elastic between herself and Griesbauer. By the end of the marathon the Team TBB member had a 7 minute lead and another Ironman title.
A rare day in Ironman racing when an athlete leads from wire to wire and Luke McKenzie showed how fortune does indeed favour the bold.
Men
Luke McKenzie (AUS) 8:07:39
Ezequiel Morales (ARG) 8:12:44
Asenco Santiago (BRA) 8:18:33
Eduardo Sturla (ARG) 8:20:25
Oscar Galindez (BRA) 8:33:00
Women
Tereza Macel (CZE) 9:19:13
Dede Griesbauer (USA) 9:26:09
Maria Omar (ARG) 9:36:04
Hillary Biscay (USA) 9:44:39
Donna Phelan (CAN) 9:44:45
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