Andy Raelert secured Kona ticket with 2nd place at 70.3 Wiesbaden
Castelli was well represented at yesterday’s Ironman 70.3 European Championship in Wiesbaden (Germany).
Andreas Raelert was the most successful athlete by winning the silver medal. He crossed the finish line in 4:05:03 hours just behind his compatriot Boris Stein who won the race in 4:03:08 hours.
“I am very glad that I might have had success to get my qualification for the Ironman Hawaii on October 10th done with this race.”
During the swim in the Lake Raunheimer Waldsee, Swiss Manuel Küng was the expected leader. He started the race at a high pace and opened up an early gap. At about half way of the 1.9 kilometer swim Manuel Küng’s attack divided the lead group into two parts.
After a third of the tough 90 k ride Andreas Raelert took over the lead. “I wanted to bring myself into a good position at an early stage of this race,” he said after the race. Thanks to a great bike performance, Boris Stein soon took over the lead and opened up a significant gap.
Andreas Raelert downsized the gap kilometer by kilometer. Through 15 k of the half marathon he was only around 2:30 minutes behind his leading compatriot and finally finished the race 1:55 behind Boris Stein. In 1:13:45 hours Andreas Raelert had the second fastest run split of the day. “The victory would have been a very nice gift,” said Andreas Raelert, “but I am very glad that I might have had success to get my qualification for the Ironman Hawaii on October 10th done with this race.”
Swiss Manuel Küng (first out of the water) finally finished at 6th position, two places ahead Austrian Andreas Giglmayr who was particularly satisfied with this half marathon split (4th fastest of the day).
Local hero Matthias Knossalla had to fight from the rear of the field after some difficulties in the water and finished at 21st position, just three places behind old master Richie Cunningham (Team Timex).
The full range of Castelli’s triathlon range was used in Wiesbaden:
Free Sanremo Suit SS (Shortsleeve): Andreas Raelert and Matthias Knossalla
Free Sanremo Suit Sleeveless: Andreas Giglmayr
Free Tri ITU Suit: Manuel Küng, Stenn Goetstouwers and Pieter Heemeryck
Free Tri Top + Free Tri Short: Richie Cunningham
