Zone3 sponsored athletes racing:
#6 Radka Kahlefeldt (CZE) #6 Pieter Heemeryck (BEL)
#21 Fenella Langridge (GBR) #8 Adam Bowden (GBR)
#61 Amelia Watkinson (NZL) #20 Andi Boecherer (GER)
#44 Thomas Davis (GBR)
#56 Sam Pictor (GBR)
#58 Alexander Polizzi (AUS)
With 4 out of the top 5 finishers from 2018 returning to the start list in both the Elite Male and Elite Female fields, the 2019 running of the 70.3 World Championships is possibly the most star-studded start list in 70.3 World Championship history. The 2019 edition of the race is to be held in Nice, France and takes in a beautiful, but incredibly tough course.
The 1.9km swim course is a single looped route that takes in the Mediterranean Sea as the sun rises, returning to the beach for transition. The 90km bike course includes 1240m of vertical climbing, taking in the legendary Col de Vence climb. From 10km on the route, the road begins to climb upwards until reaching a peak altitude of 1023m 44km into the bike leg. From this point, the road snakes downhill through spectacular villages to transition. The 21km run course is a straightforward out and back along the promenade, giving athletes the opportunity to size up their competition throughout.
Overall, the race is likely to be decided on the bike course and will really separate the strong climbers and descenders from the rest of the field.
Favourites for the title in the female field are reigning champion Daniela Ryf, swim sensation Lucy Charles and 2016 champ Holly Lawrence. Radka Kahlefeldt is returning to the 70.3 World Champs as a top 5 finisher, having just been beaten in a sprint finish for 4th place in 2018. Fenella Langridge will be expecting to swim towards the front of the pack, having exited the water 2nd last year. Who remembers her famous body surfing? Amelia Watkinson will be brimming with confidence having recently won 70.3 Gydnia.
In the male field, eyes will be set on Alistair Brownlee and Javier Gomez, with returning champion Jan Frodeno not competing in 2019. After a World Record-breaking performance at 70.3 Bahrain and a win at the WTS Grand final last weekend, can Kristian Blummenfelt use his bike strength to his advantage and challenge for a podium spot? Pieter Heemeryck, returning as a top 5 athlete from 2018, will be looking to consolidate his amazing season so far with a strong bike and run performance to break into the top spots. Josh Amberger is on paper the strongest swimmer in the field and is likely to reach T1 first in his Zone3 Vanquish or Swimskin, depending on the water temperature on the day! As a podium finisher from the Ironman World Championships in 2018, Bart Aernouts will be looking to use the course to his advantage as an uber-biker and strong runner!
Tune in to the Professional Women’s race live on Saturday 7th September 2019 at 7 am CEST, and the Professional Men’s race live on Sunday 8th September 2019 at 7 am CEST. Both races will be shown live on IRONMAN now - https://www.facebook.com/IRONMANnow/
