Preview: Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore Triathlon 2012

Just a quick look at the pros down to race this weekend in at the  Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore Triathlon 2012. Good luck to the Aussies and Kiwis racing over there. 2010 Ironman WA champion Kate Bevilaqua posted a second at the recent New Zealand 70.3 and should be one of the short odds favourites. Michelle Wu had her first race hit out last weekend at the Wollongong Olympic Distance race and came through with flying colours. This was on top of a solid 60km hit out on the bike the day before.

Ali Fitch has had a good run since getting back in to racing seriously after a few years of injury dramas. It will be great to see her test herself against a solid female field. She should be used to the humid conditions which is a plus.

Rebekah Keat, Mary Beth Ellis, Kat Baker will provide some top competition if they are all in Singapore this weekend. Kiwi Elaine Brent looks like she will be having another crack at open racing. Elaine had a bit of work to do on her swim and is still learning how to race the longer distances.

Good to see Nick Munting has put himself down in the pro field. Making a comeback Nick? Not many people can run a big race and get to the start line to compete 🙂

The Aussie guys are headed by Ollie Whistler who won the last 70.3 that Nick put on in Yeppoon. Ollie has be racing well although he was yellow carded at Huskisson Long Course in February and then flatted out of the race. Prior to that Whistler had a sneaky win in and Olympic Distance triathlon in January then took out the Hell of the West triathlon in early February. Whistler is racing fast and has got some good wins under his belt now.

Josh Amberger, Adam Gordon, Christian Kemp and Luke Gillmer are also representing Australia this weekend in Singapore. Amberger should be the first out of the water unless there is a dark horse in the field. Amberger is starting to post some good finishes over the longer distances. He was 5th at the 70.3 in Port Maquarie in November with the run around 4-5 minutes of the front guys.

It is good to see Kempy back racing. We are looking forward to seeing how he goes this weekend. After Singapore he heads back over to the states to have another crack at the big time. If Kemp is without injury look to him for the fastest run of the day.

Kiwi Guy Crawford went well in New Zealand recently at the 70.3. While he was eventually 8mins off the winning time he was racing one of the quickest long distance triathletes on record in Marion Vanhoenacker. Crawford is looking in good form and he will be right up there when the run starts.

There are many other international pros racing but I must move on.