firstoffthebike.com - Races

70.3 Rhode Island Preview

The 70.3 caravan rolls into Rhode Island this weekend with a packed field. Rhode Island is one of the more popular venues for the professionals and this year sees the season's hottest athlete Terenzo Bozzone on the start line. But it is not all doom and gloom for the rest of the field, or is it? Bozzone has been near untouchable this season. It should also be remembered that Bozzone is only 25 years old. A scary thought but it is assured the likes of Bozzone is part of the new wave of pros re defining the way 70.3s and eventually Ironmans will be raced. We are not game enough to suggest a bursting of the Bozzone bubble. He is just too talented and this season, well prepared.

Lining up to beat Bozzone will be Michael Lovato. Lovato is giving away some 10 years in age but can still attack a 70.3 as hard as anyone. He is the defending champion on this course. Richie Cunningham is a threat at any race and he will be hard to stop. A seasoned veteran at the 70.3 game, Cunningham makes a habit out of podium appearances. Tim Berkel is another athlete to keep an eye on. There's something about Berkel off the course. He is quick to have a laugh at himself and always good value at a press conference. But when the gun goes off he is all business. Berkel is exploring the US circuit this season and will no doubt be better for his experience. He is an MDot Ironman winner (IMWA) so there is some good talent there.

Other athletes to watch are Paul Amey, Paul Ambrose and Maxim Kriat.

The women's race is packed to the rafters with talent. The one name that jumps out is Karen Smyers. Smyers must be one of the most versatile athletes to have ever raced a triathlon. She won an ITU World Title in 1990 and in 1995 and also won Kona in 1995. She's also a 6 time US Pro champion too. Not bad and to see her racing at age 49 is simply brilliant.

Another athlete in the same mould as Smyers but a few years younger is Michellie Jones. Jones is still ultra competitive and age 41 still could lay claim to being the favorite. She won this event last year by 4 minutes in a dominating display. Heather Jackson also was a factor last season with a third. She is part of the KSwiss Trek team and this has seen her grow in the sport. Samantha Warriner is dangerous whenever she fronts up to a race. So too is Caitlin Snow. Carrie Lester stunned the crowd at Port Macquarie when she won Ironman Australia. Lester is a strong runner and may be a factor at the back end of the race.

Check back in when we review the Rhode Island 70.3