firstoffthebike.com - Races

70.3 Boise - The Pro's pro does it again

The day started like most 70.3's around the world. The gun went off and the frantic flailing of arms and legs that ensued would see a quick lead mowed down by the pros pro Craig Alexander. With him was his Boise buddy in Chris Lieto. Lieto than exited stage left up the road and worked on getting himself into a position to have a crack using his newly found run leg. The surprising thing was Alexander hung tough on the bike and they went into T2 together. But Lieto wasn't in a happy place. What was conspiring against him was an injury that eventually ended his day. "Frustrating, difficult day. Abductor issues on the bike and ended up straining it beginning of run. Live to fight another day," said Lieto posted on Twitter.

With Lieto gone Alexander was the man alone out front. A place that he knows too well. The usual smooth Alexander gait wasn't there on this run and by the end he was still alone. Only 10 seconds behind him was Ben Hoffman who might have held out some hope of getting to Alexander. Crowie got that one away and event though some of the pros outran him he was still all class. Aussie pro Tim Berkel got himself onto the podium with a sharp run.

The women's race provided some interest. Julie Dibens was racing her second 70.3 in six days and Linsey Corbin, a noted good runner just might take advantage of the tiring Dibens legs.

Dibens started the swim on fire and by the end of leg one had gapped the field and set up her race very nicely. The term wire to wire might have been entering her mind but there was still the threat of the hard charging Corbin behind her. Dibens' bike leg (2:24) was stellar and when she entered T2 she had the place to herself.

Onto the run and it was Corbin who was setting the roads alight. She ripped the course and the rest of the field by minutes. Her run time (1:27) was 5 minutes ahead of Dibens but when you consider the racing that Dibens has just completed it came as no surprise that she may fade a little. That's not to take away from Corbin's effort. Her form is coming.

Her winning margin of 4 minutes was testimony to the strength she has. Her ship has been righted after the hiccup in Quassy last week. Post race she tweeted "For anyone wondering, I do NOT recommend racing 2 halves in 6 days. I am in a world of suffering right now!"

 Top 5 Men

1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 4:02:11
2. Ben Hoffman (USA) 4:02:21
3. Tim Berkel (AUS) 4:08:08
4. Matt White (AUS) 4:08:40
5. Jamie Whyte (NZL) 4:08:56

Top 5 Women

1. Julie Dibens (GBR) 4:25:14
2. Linsey Corbin (USA) 4:29:22
3. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:34:58
4. Christine Fletcher (CAN) 4:42:42
5. Kate Major (AUS) 4:44:50