The Pro´s entered the bay of Alcúdia at 8 AM this morning and the remaining age groups and teams started their race in waves, one every ten minutes. After roughly 23 minutes the leading group, including winner Andreas Raelert, entered the transition area. On the demanding bike course Bertrand Billard, who had never competed in an Ironman event before, challenged the Ford Ironman World Championship runner-up, Raelert, and came off the bike three-minutes ahead. On the 21.1km run course Raelert overtook Billard and secured his victory in 3:53:07.

After his win Raelert said: “This competition is the beginning of my season and I did not know where I am standing, and I am happy that it went so well. Congratulations to all finishers and a huge compliment to the sponsors and the organising team; it was a great race.” Four minutes behind him, Billard (3:56:56) took second place, followed by his friend Sylvain Sudrie.

In the ladies race Britain’s Emma-Katy Lidbury could not be beaten thanks to her time of 4:33:18. “I knew that I am strong at swimming and on the bike, but I was not sure about the run. Now I am just happy that it worked out,” she said. Right behind Lidbury came Erika Csomor (HUN)  who finished in 4:33:50, while German Silvia Felt completed the podium in a time of 3:34:04.

Besides the pro athletes more than 1,800 competitors from 47 countries started the European Ironman season. The athletes and race director, Patrick Schmid, all agreed that it was a very sucessful premiere.

{jcomments on}