firstoffthebike.com - Races

Alexander does it again at 70.3 Boise!

Back then in Kona, we heralded the return of the 'uber biker'. As much as it pains us to use such a cliche, Kona 70.3 signaled the return of the big riders trying to put the race to bed in T2. Lieto is the real deal. His 'damn the torpedoes' approach to triathlon racing is refreshing and totally enthralling. The classic TV drama of the hunter and hunted has played out twice already this season and it's quite conceivable that this could again be the case in the big dance in October at the world titles. But if Lieto is good, then Crowie might just be the calmest cat on tour.

As we've alluded to, twice this season Crowie has calmly let a huge bike lead unfold before he reels in the lead in the run. Like a chasing peloton after a lone breakaway, Alexander's timing so far this season has been spot on. He got it perfect in Boise. Lieto, out of the water only 4 seconds behind Crowie, soon turned that into a lead that had minutes in it. His ride time of 2.04 was nearly 6 minutes ahead of Alexander and 5 minutes up the road from a third placed Joe Gambles. So out of T2, Lieto had enough to make a race of it.

A one word summation of the run would be epic. Alexander, the fastest man in the world right now in the run leg versus the brave Lieto, valiantly vying to hang on to the end. The finish line was a contrasting scene of triumph and despair, as Crowie got Lieto within 100m of the finish. When he hit the line the relief was evident as Alexander knew he was part of an instant classic. For Lieto, it was case of another brave effort not rewarded. But his day will surely come. The final margin was a mere 2 seconds, Lieto clocking in a 1:19 half marathon whereas Crowie's time was a 1:13.

The two lay on the finish line together, totally spent. Lieto, hands on his head, Crowie too shattered to celebrate. Take a look at the finish line sequence.

The women's event was slightly less dramatic than the men's. Magali Tisseyre proved to be too strong for the rest of a field that included Linsey Corbin and Sam McGlone. Tisseyre proved her strength on the bike taking some 10 minutes out of McGlone and 6 out of Corbin. From there it was fairly academic as she cruised in to win by over 8 minutes. That being said, Tisseyre didn't rest on her powerful bike leg. She recorded a 1:24 half marathon, the day's fastest and enough to crush the rest of the pros.

Men's Results 70.3 Boise

1. Craig Alexander 3:51:46
2. Chris Lieto 3:51:48
3. Joe Gambles 3:56:24

Women's Results 70.3 Boise

1. Magali Tisseyre 4:12:29
2. Linsey Corbin 4:20:58
3. Sam McGlone 4:25:10