Axel Zeebroek and Romain Guillaume have finished third and fifth respectively in today’s Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg. Marino Vanhoenacker (Belgium; 03:47:47) took the win. Nils Frommhold (Germany; 03:49:05) came in second.
Defending champion Axel was first out of the water. He headed a leading group that also included Romain. Once on the bike, Marino Vanhoenacker soon joined the group. The hilly section of the bike leg signaled the real race start. Axel made his move on the second incline. However, he was quickly passed by Vanhoenacker, who maintained his lead for a solo T2 arrival. Axel followed with Frommhold and Brems. Romain was part of a third group. A quick transition put Axel in second place at the start of the half marathon, but halfway through Frommhold proved the stronger runner of the day. In the end, Axel was able to secure a podium spot with a time of 03:51:51. Romain (03:56:11) moved up a spot to finish fifth.
Axel was pleased to take a podium spot as he rebuilds his conditioning after a foot injury. “I am happy with my third place. I really couldn't have done any better today. It was a tough race with strong competitors. My swim was good. I led from the start into T1. I waited until the second part of the bike leg to attack, but I guess I was a little too ambitious. When Marino caught up with me, I couldn’t follow him. I started the half marathon well but halfway through I felt my lack of run training. Still, I can’t complain. It’s been a good two weeks. I have been training well and I felt good today and in La Roche last week [Axel won the La Roche 111]. My conditioning keeps getting better and my foot doesn’t bother me anymore. Things are looking up.”
“I had hoped to do a little better, but a fifth place is still okay,” said Romain after the race. “My swim was good; I came out of the water with the first group. The first 40k of the bike leg I stayed with the guys, but when Axel and Marino made their move, I couldn’t follow. They were just too fast. I finished the bike leg in sixth position. The beginning of the run was okay, but in the second loop I felt much better. I have been working on my technique recently and that seemed to pay off already today. Looking back, I would have loved to be a little stronger on the bike, but overall this was a solid race.”
1.Marino Vanhoenacker 3:47:47
2.Nils Frommhold 3:49:05
3.Axel Zeebroek 3:51:51
4.Manuel Kueng 3:52:23
5.Romain Guillaume 3:56:11
Lisa Hütthaler (Austria; 04:17:03) won the women’s title. Susie Hignett (GB; 04:18:40) and Alice Hector (GB; 04:23:45) completed the top-three.