James Cunnama celebrated a great return to the IRONMAN tour in Nice. After a long time of illness, the South African established a solid race at IRONMAN France from start to finish under extreme conditions. Due to a heatwave, the City of Nice authorities allowed the race, but with reduced distances. The athletes embarked on a full-distance swim course of 3.8 km, a 152 km bike and a 30 km run. Five-time champion Frederik van Lierde attacked on the tough bike course early, but the reigning IRONMAN Lanzarote champion started to feel the heat very after a few kilometers of the run. The 40-year had to reduce his speed in order to finish the race (in third place) while Kevin Rundstadler (FRA) and Cunnama made the pass. Cunnama eventually took a great victory in 7:16:16.
Aussie Carrie Lester had a tough day in the office due to the extreme conditions, but she managed an outstanding start to finish win in Nice. She came out of the water with a lead of four minutes and kept this advantage until she crossed the line in 8:05:20 in front of five-time winner Tine Deckers.
Men's Podium
1 Cunnama, James RSA 7:16:16
2 Rundstadler, Kevin FRA 7:23:43
3 Van Lierde, Frederik BEL 7:27:09
Women's Podium
1 Lester, Carrie AUS 8:05:20
2 Deckers, Tine BEL 8:09:18
3 Genet, Manon FRA 8:14:01