Antwerp - a close battle.

Sunday, 03 August 2008 21:44

If there was any question of the Europeans lagging behind in the Triathlon world, Antwerp's 70.3 race served as a quick reminder of how strong the sport is in that part of the world. There are so many top triathletes coming out of all four corners of the world that we can truly claim triathlon to be a global sport. 70.3 Antwerp is always a special race because of what it represents outside of the able bodied athletes. Hand cycle athletes also get a crack at going to the big island in October and the spirit of Marc Herremans is alive and well in those who toe the line at any year in this event.

The men's race was won, check that, dominated by Marino Vanhoenacker. Luc van Lierde showed glimpses of his former self by staging a great race to be second. The Finnish flash Teemu Toivanen came in third. Vanhoenacker was running scared and only had a minute to spare in this battle. Vanhoenacker's time was one of the fastest this season.

The women's event was not so dramatic with Belinda Granger coming in a very comfortable three minutes ahead of Felicity Hart. Granger's form this season has been getting better and better and a 70.3 title is great reward. Belinda must now be thinking about the big island and if this form will return.

Men's Results