Ironman 70.3 Boise and Ironman 70.3 Eagleman Previews

The Ironman 70.3 series is well and truly underway in the US and this weekend sees a swag of top Aussie pros in action at Boise and Eagleman.

On Saturday in the American North West Ironman 70.3 Boise roars into action.

The professional men and women’s fields will be competing for $15,000 and 500 Pro Ranking points to go towards their qualifying for Ironman and Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Race favourite will be American Ben Hoffman who won Ironman Lake Placid and was second at the Ford Ironman St. George. He also won the inaugural K-Swiss Ironman 70.3 Branson.

Craig Alexander the 2009 and 2010 Ironman 70.3 Boise champion is not defendding his title, so Australia’s hopes will lie with Paul Ambrose who is racing back-to-back weekends after racing at Ironman 70.3 Mooseman last weekend.   It will be interesting to see how Ambrose backs up. He was locked in a titanic struggle at New Hampshire, just missing out on the win by 7 seconds to Ukraine’s Maxim Kriat.

Mens Pros

1 Ben Hoffman USA
2 Paul Ambrose AUS
3 Jesse Thomas USA
4 Trevor Wurtele CAN
6 Kevin Everett USA
7 Chris Ganter USA
8 Matt Taylor NZL
9 Guy Crawford NZL
10 Chris Boudreaux USA
12 Nicholas Thompson USA
13 Elliot Holtham CAN
14 Adam Jensen USA
15 Christopher Bagg USA
16 Dantley Young USA
17 Karl Bordine USA
18 Christopher Baird USA
19 Heath Thurston USA
21 Juan Carlos
 Ramirez MEX
22 Damon Barnett USA
23 Matt Shryock USA
24 Stephen Kilshaw CAN
25 Matt Lieto USA
26 Kyle Leto USA
27 Cesar   Valera VEN
28 Jeff Symonds CAN

In the women’s race Aussie eyes will be on proven performer Kate Bevilaqua (2010 Ironman Western Australia champion), and newcomer Michelle Wu. Canadian Heather Wurtele and American Heather Jackson will however be favourites to take out the race.

Women’s pros

33 Heather Wurtele CAN
34 Heather Jackson USA
36 Uli Bromme USA
37 Ann Ciaverella USA
39 Jennifer Luebke USA
40 Kate Bevilaqua AUS
41 Charisa Wernick USA
42 Teri Albertazzi USA
43 Haley Cooper-Scott USA
44 Annie Warner USA
45 Heidi Spees USA
46 Jessica Jacobs USA
48 Michelle Wu   AUS
49 Rachel McBride CAN

On Sunday attention will turn to Maryland, where the 70.3 Eagleman race will be staged. This race will hold particular interest to Kiwi’s who will be hoping Terenzo Bozzone and Samantha Warriner are able to defend their crowns.

Australian interest will lie on whether Craig Alexander, the two-time Ironman World Champion (2008 & 2009) and the 2006 Ironman 70.3 World Champion is recovered enough from his recent virus to take out the race. The ever consistant Richie Cunningham should also be in the mix and Courtney Ogden will be looking to show that he still has the speed to be a serious threat at this distance.

Pro Men
Alexander Craig

Archer Jimmy

Bates Ryan

Botelho Raymond                                                        

Bowstead James        

Bozzone Terenzo

Bretscher Daniel

Caiazzo Mike

Cotter James

Cunningham Richie
Duff James

Eickelberg Tom

Hodges Andrew

Kenny John

Kozub Philippe

Krylov Stanislav

Legh Christopher

Macasieb Arland

Minnema Jimi

Ogden Courtney

Pawlaczyk Kyle

Rau Ryan

Reed Matty

Snow Tim

Tollakson TJ

Vondracek Jesse

In the women’s race Mirinda Carfrae will be looking for revenge over Sam Warriner who beat her at Ironman New Zealand. Also expect to be in the mix Tyler Stewart (who rode 4:42:40 at Ironman Texas), Elly Franks and Desiree Ficker.

Pro Women
Andrews Kristin

Carfrae Mirinda

Ficker Desiree

Franks Elly                      

Gervais Annie

Hoogland Tenille

Iavarone Kristin

Jones Stephanie

Stevens Amanda

Stewart Tyler

Warriner Samantha

White Kristin