Lieto finds run legs, Wellington stands alone at Kansas 70.3
Two large questions were answered on the weekend. The first one was how far away Chris Lieto was away from a win at the 70.3 distance and second one was how had Chrissie Wellington recovered from an early season crash. The answer to both those questions were found on the roads of Kansas this weekend where it was a dominant performance by both of these triathlon superstars.
Chris Lieto showed that you can still use the big bike leg in order to overcome your more fleet footed adversaries. It is a rarity these days but on the right day this theory can work. In a move that the triathlon professionals have seen all too often Lieto made his exit from the rest of the group early and set his Trek onto destination unknown again. Lieto's habit of burning his petrol tickets on the bike would once again be tested.
The man on the receiving end of the Lieto bike blast was Andy Potts who enjoyed a 90 second lead out of the water after another comprehensive swim leg. The Lieto bike time (2:05:02) smashed all but one of the pros on the day. Young Andrew Yoder hung tough after he himself clocked a 2:06 bike time.What it do do was leave Lieto in a familiar place. Out in front and wondering if he had enough to hang on.
In previous incarnations of this race scenario a Lieto lead like the one he enjoyed off the bike (4 mins) would be eaten up by some one like an Andy Potts. And while Potts took some time out of him Lieto's new found run legs, something he started working on pre Kona 2009, were dialed in. Lieto hung on with a 1:11 run as opposed to the Potts' scintillating 1:07. Andrew Yoder made it a great day with a podium finish. Potts and Lieto were a full 5 minutes ahead of the rest after they showed their dominance that must now have others around the world taking a look.
'Chrissie World' is a fast place. When you are Chrissie Wellington you can give up 3 minutes in the water because of what you can do on land. Her bike time (2:21) was faster than 9th placed pro Joe McDaniel giving all who witnessed it an indication of how strong she is.
Pip Taylor had the lead out of the water but must have known what was coming behind her... in short the perfect storm. Wellington was simply amazing (again) as she continues to rewrite another chapter in her already masterful tome. By the days end Lisey Corbin and Pip Taylor, both very strong in their own right, were 17 minutes behind Wellington. Wellington's run time was faster than 3 of the top 5 professional men.
Kansas was a day that has just reminded a number of people in the triathlon fraternity, media included, that Chrissie Wellington is indeed still the ruler of the long distance world and that Lieto is now a man who is closing the gap between his ride and run legs.
Top 5 men
- Chris Lieto (USA) 3:44:07
- Andy Potts (USA) 3:44:31
- Andrew Yoder (USA) 3:49:46
- Courtney Ogden (AUS) 3:58:58
- Stephen Hackett (AUS) 3:59:54
Top 4 Women
- Chrissie Wellington (GBR) 4:07:49
- Pip Taylor (AUS) 4:24:29
- Linsey Corbin (USA) 4:25:58
- Uli Bromme (USA) 4:38:10
Comments (4)
by yeah right, 08 June 2010andy WAS a 72 minute half mary runner. he most definitely is not anymore. i'd say the run was AT LEAST 6 minutes short. lieto has improved MARGINALLY.
by Kel, 08 June 2010I know the times are F Fast just like ITU, you take the time with a grain of salt. Have a look at their some of their other races and I do think Andy is around a 72-73 runner and Chris is getting stronger.
by Freight Train, 07 June 2010Have a look at last years times and Chrissie ran 5 min faster! smoking!
I agree. I really wish Lieto could run a 1:11, but really?
by ironman 65.2?, 07 June 2010cmonnnnnnn WTC get your Freaking act together. no way in hell does andy potts run a 1:07 half mary.