Terenzo Bozzone ran down Paul Ambrose to win the Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island and added another win to his already fantastic 2010 season. Kate Major chased down Sam Warriner to win the women's title. Behind her though, Caitlin Snow had a fantastic run and with her 1:19:15 split almost captured the win.
The men
Kiwi Graham O'Grady set a very fast pace during the swim and got out of the water 80 seconds ahead of Paul Ambrose, Richie Cunningham and Terenzo Bozzone.
Ambrose though soon after charged into the lead and his 2:15:01 split was over 3 minutes faster than the times of his closest competitors. Tim Berkel also rode well and briefly charged past Bozzone and Co, until his progress was halted after an incident with a press motorcycle. Berkel though wasn't hurt in the accident and also didn't let it mess with his head too much. Bozzone, Berkel, Cunningham and O'Grady got into transition a few seconds apart and 3 minutes after Ambrose. Brit Rich Allen was also right there and seemingly in a position to spoil the podium sweep efforts of the Kiwis and Aussies.
Bozzone quickly found his running legs and had Cunningham and Allen hot on his heels with Berkel a few seconds further back. But at around 5k Berkel pulled up to Bozzone and soon after Cunningham fell off the pace. Berkel put in a few surges but Bozzone got away from him with a couple miles to go. Soon after both competitors ran past Ambrose and with his 1:14:55 run Bozzone sealed the deal to take the 2010 Amica 70.3 Rhode Island title. Berkel's 1:15:37 run and solid performance all day gave him second place and Ambrose held on to third position.
"Terenzo Bozzone put the sword to me on the run and killed me," said Berkel on twitter.
The women
Michellie Jones led the women out of the water with Sam Warriner and Kate Major not that far behind.
With a new bike position in place, Warriner pulled away from Major and Jones and led the race until T2. Heather Jackson had exited the swim in 12th position and more than 5 minutes behind the leaders, but she used her bike prowess for a 2:29:53 split that allowed her to enter T2 back in contention. Kate Major also had a solid performance and started the run about a minute behind Warriner.
The very patient Major ran well despite the heat and caught Warriner at around the 10 mile marker. Behind the Aussie and the Kiwi, American Pro Caitlin Snow was flying along on the run and with a 1:19:15 split ended up second, 22 seconds behind winner Major. Warriner held on to the final podium spot.
"I felt fairly good throughout. I was happy that it was warm for once," said Major to slowtwitch. "The field was so close and strong, I didn't single anyone out and kept alert for everyone behind me until I knew towards the finish line that I had the win, then I relaxed a little as I could see no one behind."
Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island
1.2m swim, 56m bike, 13.1m run
Top 10 men
1. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 4:01:15
2. Tim Berkel (AUS) 4:02:05
3. Paul Ambrose (AUS) 4:03:01
4. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 4:06:59
5. Maxim Kriat (UKR) 4:07:42
6. Rich Allen (GBR) 4:09:05
7. Kirk Nelson (USA) 4:09:17
8. Mario De Elias (ARG) 4:11:16
9. Paul Fritzsche (USA) 4:16:50
10. Graham O'Grady (NZL) 4:17:17
Top women
1. Kate Major (AUS) 4:30:36
2. Caitlin Snow (USA) 4:30:58
3. Sam Warriner (NZL) 4:33:32
4. Kim Loeffler (USA) 4:33:46
5. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:34:12
6. Michellie Jones (AUS) 4:35:44
7. Carrie Lester (AUS) 4:37:57
8. Lesley Paterson (GBR) 4:45:01
9. Annie Gervais (CAN) 4:46:10
10. Karen Smyers (USA) 4:50:38
