Rhodes to race Kona

Taupo Ironman competitor Bryan Rhodes has thrown his hat into the ring at Kona this weekend, making a late decision to contest the World Ironman Championship.

Rhodes makes a return to the holy grail of Ironman racing after last racing there in 2006. He and Coach Graham Park decided his recovery from winning Ironman Canada in August has been sufficient to line up on Sunday (NZT).

For most of this season Rhodes has been based in Boulder, Colorado in the USA. Training in the heat of the USA summer and gaining that extra edge to his training with the ‘altitude effect’ described by Coach Park as ideal preparation.

As usual his recent swim times have seen him emerge out of the water within seconds of the leader if not in first place. The key then for Rhodes will be to position his new Cervelo in the lead bunch off the bike.

If he can do that and put together a similar run that took him to victory in Canada, the number two ranked Kiwi male Ironman says he shouldn’t be ruled out of a top placing.

Rhodes will line up alongside fellow New Zealander and one of the race favourites in Cameron Brown while in the women’s elite pro category, Jo Lawn and Gina Ferguson both go in with high hopes.

The race takes place on Sunday (NZT).

For live race commentary, updates and results please visit www.ironman.com