Launceston professional triathlete Joe Gambles has finished in the top 5 at the World Ironman 70.3 Championships in Las Vegas over night. This is the first time the course has been moved to Nevada with rolling hills and searing heat the main concerns for competitors.
After a great swim and Gambles was in the mix on the bike with a group including eventual winner, Aussie Craig Alexander and American Chris Lieto. After pushing hard Lieto was able to create a gap into T2, but the a 1.11 run split by Crowie was enough to take the title. In a ride and run course suited to the ‘powerful pixies*’ Gambles was able to hold on to fifth position after finishing an agonisingly close fourth in 2010. In a great day for Australian IM, ex runner Mellissa Rollinson took the female title after a far superior run.
Top 10 men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:54:48
2. Chris Lieto (USA) 3:58:03
3. Jeff Symonds (CAN) 3:58:42
4. Michael Weiss (AUT) 3:59:11
5. Joe Gambles (AUS) 4:00:00
6. Paul Matthews (AUS) 4:00:26
7. Raynard Tissink (RSA) 4:00:53
8. Tim Berkel (AUS) 4:02:01
9. Luke Bell (AUS) 4:04:03
10. Alessandro Degasperi (ITA) 4:05:09
*term used by Jay Prasuhn LAVA magazine
