Geelong 70.3 Preview 2010
G - Town comes alive this weekend as the focus is moved from the world of AFL to the that of triathlon. 70.3 Geelong, although relatively new on the race calender has already seen it's share of fast racing. From upstart Leon Griffin's win two seasons ago to the silky smooth efforts of Craig Crowie Alexander and Mirinda Carfrae in the rain a season ago.
In 2010 under a cloud of speculation as to the future of all WTC races under the new directorship Geelong will be the focus of many of the top local pros and age groupers. The good news for race organisers IMG is that they have secured the return of the defending champions in Craig Alexander and Samantha Warriner. Money well spent as Alexander generates good media interest wherever he goes.
The merits of spending big on an international field are debatable as the local talent would hold their own in most 70.3 fields around the world. In saying that there are still too many Australian professionals who are not in the field. The likes of Chris McCormack, Pete Jacobs, Luke McKenzie, Mirinda Carfrae, Bek Keat and Luke Bell are all missing for various reasons. It says a lot about the sport of endurance triathlon when a list like this appears. A fully loaded field in Geelong would be a compelling day to watch.
But there is still a race to be won and it will be all about who can beat Alexander. Crowie has a habit of jumping off planes and being ready to race and this is the trick he must pull this weekend. Fresh off a trip to the States Alexander is said to be only at around 80% fitness but that might be enough.
For us Leon Griffin poses the best chance of a win and upsetting triathlon's status quo. Griffin is a monster on the bike when he is going and he proved his coming for last weekend with a good win ahead of the likes of three time world champion Peter Robertson as a local sprint race. Griffin likes the course but must be super aggressive if he is to be a contender.
The other one to watch is Tim Berkel. Berkel runs a little hot and cold and it will be interesting to see if he has brought his 'A' game after an implosion at last season's Ironman Western Australia, a race he was expected to win. The other pros with a look in are Matty White, Chris Dmitrieff and Clayton Fettell. It will be interesting to see how local and newbie pro Richard Thompson fares.
In the women's race, the focus will be on the re-match between Warriner and Switzerland's Caroline Steffen. They were separated by just 18 seconds when Warriner crossed the line ahead of Steffen at last month's Port of Tauranga Half Ironman; in 2009, Steffen finished third at Ironman Australia and fourth at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and many believe that she can break through for a win in Geelong.
Other challengers include current Half Ironman Series leader Lisa Marangon, and long course specialists Nicole Ward, Ali Fitch, Amelia Pearson and Carrie Lester. The other athlete to watch is Christie Sym. The adventure racer turned Ironman athlete has a real chance of a podium.
We'll be all over this great race so make sure you check back in for a full race coverage and a wrap up on Tri Cafe later in the week.
