Can Aussie Paul Ambrose finally play a leading roll after many seasons of being cast as an extra? Coming through the ranks of many great Australian athletes, Ambrose after showing early career promise has had an intermittent showing. In early season while down under Paul has put a solid base of results starting with 5th at Husky Long Course, was in a good position at Ironman Melbourne before cramping at 30k of the run. Came a solid 2nd at Ironman Australia Port Macquarie and last week had a 5th place at 70.3 Raleigh. Can he go one better than his 2012 result having come 2nd here to Clayton Fettel?
Wearing number one will be last years runner up Daniel Bretscher who previously was flying under the radar but is a marked man this time round. TJ Tollakson will feel at home here and expect him to be a Dimond on the bike. Todd Skipworth is no stranger to the big screen having competed twice (2008,2012) on the Olympic stage in rowing for Australia. James Seear is another wizard from Oz who would love to be first down the yellow brick road come Sunday.
For the women who will be cast as Dorothy, certainly Rachel Joyce fits the bill after winning here in 2012 casting Amanda Stevens into 2nd spot that year by a country mile. Amanda will be looking to close that 22:40 gap this time round. For both girls this event is a short road trip from there base in Boulder.
Lauren Barnet already has a 70.3 title to her name this season having taken that title in New Orleans this past April. 3x Ironman Champion Jessica Jacobs has been traveling a lot in and out of Kansas this year and hope to put her local knowledge to good use. Brit Laura Siddall could play the Wicked Witch of the West and spoil everyones dreams come race day.
Pro Women:
30 Joyce Rachel
31 Kehoe Danielle
32 Stevens Amanda
33 Jacobs Jessica
34 Barnett Lauren
35 Blakemore Katy
36 Brennan Morrey Ruth
37 Chaffin Morgan
38 Erickson Erika
39 Kristick Corrie
40 Lentzke Jennifer
41 Siddall Laura
42 Van Der Merwe Natasha
43 Ritchie Tami
44 Bruck kate
Pro Men:
1 Bretscher Daniel
2 Ambrose Paul
Tollakson TJ
4 Kahn David
5 Wade Robbie
6 Aviles Edward
7 Becker Blake
8 Borger Ryan
9 Duncan Robert
10 Evoe Patrick
11 Gerlach Thomas
12 Hall Benson
13 Hanson Matt
14 Kotar Keith
5 Kristov Karol
16 McIntosh Dan
17 Milam Jared
18 Rau Ryan
19 Saroni Mark
20 Seear James
21 Skipworth Todd
22 Thorne Joe
23 Umphenour Joe
24 White Tony