Bozzone and Lawn on podium in Kansas

Terenzo Bozzone finished first and Jo Lawn second in a great day for New Zealand Triathlon as the Kiwis dominated the Kansas 70.3 (Half-Ironman) overnight New Zealand time.

The race was similar conditions wise to Hawaii, venue for the World Championship race in early October with no wetsuits, a hilly and windy bike course and hot conditions on the run.

Jo Lawn had been struggling with illness since her arrival in the States, forcing her to miss last weekend’s Eagleman race so her primary objective overnight was to bike quickly.

This she did with the fastest bike split on the day – by an incredible four and a half minutes. Lawn eventually came up just 29 seconds short of victory, finishing second behind Samantha McClone.

Next up for Lawn is Texas in two weeks, again with conditions expected to mirror that of Hawaii with a non-wetsuit swim and hot, hilly and tough for the bike and run.

Victory for Bozzone continued a great run for the Kiwi, following his win at the Boise 70.3 and a runner up finish last week at Maryland in the Eagleman race – during which a drafting penalty cost him another win.

Bozzone was delighted with the win, one that didn’t come easily.

“The swim was okay, Simon Lessing (GBR) pushed the pace early on and surprisingly a small bunch hung around. We headed onto the bike with four other guys including Lessing and Craig Alexander (AUS), winner and runner up at the 2006 half Ironman world champs and I had nothing in the tank, so soon I found myself riding solo about 1 minute behind.

“I wanted to stop, I couldn't find any rhythm and had no power, I told myself things would change as the race unfolded, when the blood started moving to my sore muscles, but it felt like things were getting worse from 30-40km and I was starting to get worried. Then all of a sudden something snapped and I was back to my normal self. I made up the deficit and then put 1 minute on Craig and TJ Tollenson.

“Onto the run and I knew I was going to have to pull something special out to hold off Alexander, I pushed the first couple miles which I ended up paying for the next 10miles, whoops! I could feel my calves and quads on the verge of cramping but nothing bad enough to stop my stride. I crossed the line with a 3 minute lead. I am glad I don't have another race next week.”

Meanwhile Bryan Rhodes did not finish the UK 70.3 overnight. Taupo’s Rhodes was second out of the water but faded on the bike to 15th but did not register a time on the run. There are no other details available at present.

Kansas 70.3 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run

Elite Men

Terenzo Bozzone; swim 27.21, bike 2:11:43, run 1:15:49, total 3:56:06, 1st place

Elite Women

Jo Lawn; swim 30:34, bike 2:21:44, run 1:25:31, total 4:19:32, 2nd place