Tim Reed 2014 Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake Champion

Australian Tim Reed has shaken off a run of second place finishes in 2014 to post a win in the USA against some tough competition. In the end it was a very close race with Reed getting the jump over eventual second placed Jordan Rapp in the swim and leaving it to Rapp to put down a very fast bike split in an attempt to catch Reed.

With second place finishes at Geelong 70.3, Cairns 70.3, Huskisson Long Course and a 5th at the Asia Pacific 70.3 Champs in Auckland this win is just what he needs as the races start to heat up towards the Ironman 70.3 World Champs.

Tim Reed is swimming very well currently but still had some work to do to reign in Brandon Marsh, Joe Umphenour, John Polson amongst others on the bike after they got the jump in the swim when Reed and some others were directionally challenged at the start of the swim. Reed once again showed his power on the bike and was  soon leading until caught by Jordan Rapp with the two eventually heading out of T2 together.

Reed put a minute in to Rapp over the first 5kms on the run and at one point had established around a one minute lead that eventually whittled down to 30 seconds by the time Reed crossed the finishline to take the race. Cramps meant that Reed had to run the flats fast and be conservative up the hills.

Behind Rapp and Reed there was some solid battles going on with Jesse Thomas having to dig deep to pull himself up to 3rd place after backing up from the weekend before and pipping Mark Bowstead.

Next up for Tim is Ironman 70.3 Vineman on July 13 before he heads back to Australia to race Challenge Gold Coast. He will then put the finishing touches on his preparation for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs.