Blow ups and break throughs - Abu Dhabi
Arguably the most talked about race in the world this season the Abu Dhabi triathlon captured the imagination of the triathlon world.
The field was definitely stacked but like in all of the big races around the world there are the inevitable blow ups and break throughs! As an aside to this we salute all the professional men and women who make the job of writing on triathlon all the more interesting.
Break Throughs
- Eneko Llanos - not really a break through but merely a "don't forget about me" by Eneko Llanos. He was simply too strong and was in the right place at the right time.
- Dirk Bockel - Bockel is the man, or soon will be. We are keeping a close eye on this guy as he keeps on accumulating great results. Bockel has an athletic skill set the envy of many he races. He commented post race "what a great race: I am so proud and happy-but sore as crap." Way to go!
- Julie Dibens - Dibens is fast becoming one of the hottest properties in triathlon. She has all the tools to go the whole way. One of the few athletes to challenge Chrissie Wellington (over the half distance). Her destination has to be Kona and once there anything is possible.
Blow ups
- Bjorn Andersson & Phil Graves - The 'uber bikers' were put to the sword by the rest of the field in a race Andersson stated he was waiting his life for. Graves has not been the force people thought after his stunning win in Ironman UK last season. It might be the warmer climates that don't suit him. Overall the two guys who were supposed to tear the bike apart, didn't.
- Rebekah Keat - It's hard to know if she had switched off to save herself for Ironman Australia in a couple weeks but if that was the case why would she make the trip. Races like this damage the aura she built after that magical day in Roth.
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