Paul Tichelaar won the 2008 Trisports.com Desert Classic Duathlon in Phoenix, AZ despite some very tough competition. The women's race was won by Joanna Zeiger who showed great early season form.

A cool Arizona morning saw a very fast start to the 2008 Trisports.com Desert Classic Duathlon. Leading all runners home after the initial 3.5 mile trail run was Joshua Merrick. Once on the bikes though, it was Paul Tichelaar who took charge and he busted out a very fast bike split. Only Slowtwitcher Jordan Rapp was faster on the bike. Tichelaar though was first to start the second run and he ended up cruising to victory unchallenged. Jordan Rapp finished in second place and David Thompson rounded out the top three.

In the women's field it was Jennifer Tobin with a speedy first run, but her 10 second lead on Joanna Zeiger was not long enough. Zeiger was actually 2 minutes faster on the bike than her competitors and she then easily cruised to victory on the second run. Anne Curi-Preisig finished second and Jennifer Tobin was third.



2008 Trisports.com Desert Classic Duathlon, Phoenix, AZ, February 24

3.5 mile trail run, 21 mile road bike course, 2.7 mile trail run

Top 10 Elite men

1. Paul Tichelaar (CAN) 1:24:33
2. Jordan Rapp (USA) 1:25:52*
3. David Thompson (USA) 1:26:14
4. Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:26:42
5. Joshua Merrick (USA) 1:26:43
6. Billy Edwards (USA) 1:28:35
7. Kyle Jones (CAN) 1:28:52
8. Tate Behning (USA) 1:28:54
9. Colin Jenkins (CAN) 1:28:58
10. Ryan Giuliano (USA) 1:29:36

* = fastest bike split


Top 5 Elite women

1. Joanna Zeiger (USA) 1:38:29
2. Anne Curi-Preisig (USA) 1:41:41
3. Jennifer Tobin (USA) 1:41:55
4. Elizabeth Fedofskey (USA) 1:45:59
5. Terry Albertazzy (USA) 1:46:19

Complete results here