McKenzie and Macel Masterclass At Ironman Brazil

Two very different races unfolded in Florianopolis this weekend, with Luke McKenzie putting on an Ironman masterclass, and Tereza Macel demonstrating her outstanding tactical nouse to take the win at Ironman Brazil.

Photo: Ironman.com

McKenzie was, as always, dominant from the gun. A 42:27 swim gave him a lead of more than three minutes coming out of the water, immediately putting the South American favourites – all vying for what has become the unofficial South American championship – on the back foot.

Eduardo Sturla (45:45), Oscar Galindez (46:18) and Reinaldo Colucci (45:41) worked together out of the water to try and chase down the flying Aussie. But although they manage to reduce his lead to 2:30 at one point, McKenzie was proving to be just too strong.

As Colucci found the pace too hard to handle, Sturla and Galindez crept away but were unable to stop McKenzie opening up a four minute lead going into T2.

But as the chasing pack exited T2, they really started to attack. Galindez was the first to make in-roads into McKenzie’s lead, reducing the deficit to one minute by 10km. But Galindez went too hard too soon and faded back.

Photo: ironman.com

Ezequiel Morales and Santiago Ascenco, however, were starting to pull together outstanding marathon splits that would eventually earn them podium spots. They were, however, too far behind McKenzie to do any damage to the Australian.

Admitting later that he had “never felt so good on the run,” McKenzie’s 2:54 marathon was enough to give him the win – and a new course record (8:07:39). Morales outstanding 2:47:18 marathon was enough to earn him second (8:12:44) while Brazilian favourite Ascenco recorded another blistering marathon time (2:50:58) to take third in 8:18:33.

The women’s race was a much more tactical affair, with Tereza Macel only striking for the win on the undulating run.

Dede Griesbauer led out of the water (45:49), taking a near two minute lead onto the bike over Macel (47:37). However, Macel had the measure of the American, and once she had caught Griesbauer at 40km the two rode ‘together’ for the remaining 140km.

Entering T2 together, Griesbauer somehow managed to take a minute lead out of transition, although Macel seemed happy to let her go. As the pair hit the hills, Macel was forced to take the lead by Griesbauer’s faltering tempo. The American did push the Canadian for the next 20km, but Macel slowly pulled away.

Macel eventually crossed the line in 9:19:13 after a 3:26:36 marathon. Griesbauer was second (9:26:09) with Maria Omar third (9:36:04).

Ironman Brasil Florianopolis
Florianopolis, Brazil / May 30, 2010

Top 5 Men
1. Luke McKenzie (AUS) 8:07:39
2. Ezequiel Morales (ARG) 8:12:44
3. Santiago Ascenco (BRA) 8:18:33
4. Eduardo Sturla (ARG) 8:20:25
5. Oscar Galindez (BRA) 8:33:00

Top 5 Women
1. Tereza Macel (CZE) 9:19:13
2. Dede Griesbauer (USA) 9:26:09
3. Maria Omar (ARG) 9:36:04
4. Hillary Biscay (USA) 9:44:39
5. Donna Phelan (CAN) 9:44:45

Filed under : News • Race Results
Read more about :Asenco-Santiago, Brazil, Dede-Griesbauer, Donna-Phelan, Eduardo-Stural, Ezequiel-Morales, Florianopolis, Hillary-Biscay, Ironman, Luke-McKenzie, Maria-Omar, Oscar-Galindez, Tereza-Macel