Monday, December 28, 2009

Beke, Van Vlerken take inaugural Cozumel titles

Rutger Beke was strong throughout the day and cruisied to a win in the inaugural Ironman Cozumel. The Belgian was 16th out of the water in 46:38, suggesting the swim leg was short of the advertised 2.4 miles. But his bike ride was the day's third fastest at 4:37:27, and his race-best 2:53:56 marathon sealed the deal for the win in 8:18:40. Leading up to the race Beke carefully said during an Ironman.com interview: "With everything that has happened over the year I'm glad to be fit and hoping for a great race." It appears that his hopes certainly came true.

Ukraine's Viktor Zyemstev finished second in 8:29:10 and Sebastian Pedraza from Italy was third in 8:33:28.

Yvonne Van Vlerken exited the water 4 minutes off the lead, but put the race out of reach with the day's fastest bike and run. This win gave Van Vlerken her first Ironman Championship title after having won the Quelle Challenge Roth in Germany in 2007 and 2008.

Bella Bayliss had another strong race, coming out of the water a minute up on Van Vlerken and posting the race's second fastest bike and run. Her 9:22:34 got her second, with Edith Niederfriniger third in 9:30:34.

Van Vlerken's race placed her 10th overall.

Posted via web from Cancun Mexico News

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