Liz Blatchford claimed her second Ironman title of the season in Mont Tremblant after an outstanding performance. The BMC-Vifit Sport athlete crossed the finish line in a winning time of 9:16:45, posting the fastest running split of the day. Lauren Brandon (USA; 9:18:02) finished 2nd as Meredith Kessler (USA; 9:23:09) completed the podium. Adding another Ironman title to her season tally (after her victory in IM Philippines earlier in the year), Liz Blatchford secured her qualification for the World Championship in Hawaii. This brings the total to 7 athletes of the BMC-Vifit Sport Pro Triathlon who have now all secured their slot for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
Very experienced performance
The race started with a slight delay due to foggy conditions. That didn’t impact Liz’s performance in the swim as she exited the water in 3th place together with Kessler in second, 2' down to leader Brandon.
Once on the bike, Blatchford put together a very solid ride, staying in contention for the entire 180k. After 96k the difference had increased to 4' and only extended by another minute in the second part of the bike. Liz entered transition in 3rd and started the closing marathon 5' down from the lead.
Afer a very solid bike performane, the BMC-Vifit Sport athlete ran strong from the start and started to close down on 2nd place. At 32k Liz had reduced the deficit to the lead of the race to 1:24, still in 3rd but about to make the pass for second. Only a few kilometers further Blatchford had closed the gap towards the front of the race and made the pass to take control of the lead. Liz never dropped the pace and kept digging deep. She gradually extended her lead in the final stages of the marathon and after posting the fastest run split of the day (3:13:32 marathon), Liz Blatchford took a fantastic victory in Ironman Mont Treblant. After her win in Ironman Philippines her second Ironman title of the season.
Pure determination
"Safe to say I was a tad emotional running down that chute", Liz Blatchford looked back at her winning performance. “So unexpected, incredibly sweet. I didn't even image to win here today. When I took the lead with 7k to go I felt I was dreaming. The adrenaline and the crowd really carried me home. This was sheer determination and experience that got me there. Forever grateful for the fantastic support from my team BMC-Vifit Sport, my husband, family and friends. Next stop Kona!
Photo credit: Korupt Vision
Emma Pallant takes an outstanding victory in Ironman 70.3 Dun Loaghaire
Emma Pallant put together another outstanding performance to take her third IM70.3 win of the season. The BMC-Vifit Sport athletes crossed the finish line in Ireland in a winning time of 4:48:02. Tine Deckers (BEL; 4:49:31) secured 2nd place, with Amber Ferreira (USA; 5:04:01) claiming the final podium spot. Another convincing performance from Pallant who is set to take on the IM70.3 Worlds in two weeks time.
Emma Pallant started the day with an excellent swim, entering T1 in 2nd place 2' down from the lead.
In the early parts of the bike, Emma made her move to take over the lead of the race. At the 35k mark on the bike Pallant was holding the lead with an advantage of 1’25 on the first chaser. Half way in Deckers had joined her in the front of the race and eventually broke away in the closing stages. After a very strong performance on the bike the BMC-Vifit Sport athlete entered transition in second place and started the run 1’42 down from the lead.
On the run, Pallant immediately found her ideal running pace and started to close down the gap to the front. After 7k into the half marathon Emma had taken over the lead. From then onwards Pallant gruadually extended her advantage and controlled her tempo. Posting the fastest run split of the day the BMC-Vifit Sport athlete went on to take another fantastic victory, her third IM70.3 title of the season.
Swim: 31:48
Bike: 2:49:58
Run: 1:22:18
Really happy
Afterwards Emma Pallants looked back at her performance: "I am really happy to take the win on a fun and brutal course. We wanted a good hit out to end this block of training before the IM70.3 Worlds and the plan was to be risk free, easy on the descents and pump the hills. I had a lot of fun, the support was amazing and a truly brilliant, honest course. It’s also the first in the Nice qualifying races so will accept my automatic qualifying spot for next years IM70.3 World Championship. And now looking forward to flying to South Africa on Tuesday to prepare for the IM70.3 Worlds."
Bart Aernouts wins OD Triathlon Gent
As part of his build up to the World Championship Ironman in Hawaii Bart Aernouts dominated the OD Triathlon in Gent. After a blistering run, Bart took the victory in Belgium.
Maurice Clavel wins Allgau triathlon
Maurice Clave took a fantastic victory in the high profile Allgau Triathlon in Germany.
