Terenzo Bozzone bounces back with race record win in Ironman 70.3 Florida

The 2008 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone has put his injury problems behind him with a comeback win in Florida today.

The 28 year old won in his first race back following a freak accident four months ago. He withdrew from his home city IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championships in Auckland in January after a driver opened a car door into his path while riding.

He took three weeks break before his build-up for IRONMAN New Zealand in early March. During the race Bozzone veered strangely off course on the swim and withdrew early on the bike after feeling dizzy and unwell.

A week later psychometric testing pointed to delayed concussion as a result of the initial bike crash seven weeks earlier, and he was forced to take a complete break for more than a month, returning to racing in Florida today after five weeks back in training.

Bozzone moved to the front after the 90km bike with German Dirk Bockel at the IRONMAN Florida 70.3 race, and then was too strong on the run to win by more than a minute in 3:45.51.

During the first of three laps of the run, Bozzone led the way with Bockel just seconds behind, while American Kevin Collington worked his way into contention. Bozzone picked up the pace to open up 48-second lead in the second lap as the American moved passed Bockel.

The New Zealander showed real speed in the final lap to set a new course record.

“I am so excited to be on top of the podium. I’m pumped to get my first race of the season done with a win,” Bozzone said.

“It was not the usual pancake flat course you expect in Florida with hills on the bike and run. I am really pleased with how the day unfolded and where my fitness is at. I feel that I have strong base to grow on through the season and am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year has in store.”

He will return to his base in Los Angeles before taking on the ITU Long Distance World Championships in France next month and target the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas in September.

Kiwi Ironwoman great Joanna Lawn finished 3rd overall in the women’s race. This was Lawn’s 3rd 70.3 in five weeks. Lawn was 4th at New Orleans 70.3 in late April.

Australia Sam Betten finished 7th overall with another Kiwi Callum Millward finishing 8th. Betten lead the swim until the final 200 meters, had the 4th fastest ride over the 90km’s (and just 5min off Lance Armstrong’s ride time from last year) and held on during the run in the Florida heat to claim 7th across the line. He is now looking forward to heading home to Australia after his first trip to the US to race long course. Betten is a young guy with a big future.

Results, Ironman Florida 70.3: