Michael Raelert closed season with Challenge Bahrain triumph
With a magnificent race at the Challenge Bahrain, Michael Raelert has ended a phenomenal 2014 season for Castelli. The 34-year old won the first edition of the half-distance event in the Kingdom of Bahrain on Santa Claus day in 3:36:04 hours. Michael Raelert took the win ahead of his fellow countryman Andreas Dreitz (3:38:23 hours) and Australian Tim Reed (3:39:26 hours).
As all year Michael benefited from the aero and performance advantage of Castelli’s FREE tri collection.
“I’m totally happy. I’m absolutely over the moon. This is a fantastic end of the season. When you win a race, it always feels good, but if you can even win a big race like this one, it’s just overwhelming. And the most important thing is: I’m back after my injury.”
In the past few weeks there have been many rumors about the new event in Bahrain. It was not only the flat race course which promised a superb race, but especially a stellar pro field. “If you read all these names, you are anything else but cool when you start into such a race,” said Michael Raelert after the finish on the Formula 1 circuit of Manama. He came down the finish line with a huge smile, but in the hours before he had been facing a tough fight. “The race was extremely hard,” he said after a fast, windy and warm race, “but the last few meters made me forget everything.”
Already during the 1.9 km swim, a high-speed train formed at the top. In 21:16 minutes Michael Raelert was third out of the water, only four seconds behind Dylan McNeice and two seconds behind Pete Jacobs. In T1 Michael Raelert then took over the lead and pushed the pace early on the bike. Already at Ironman 70.3 Miami, Ironman 70.3 Mandurah and Ironman 70.3 Ballarat, Michael Raelert had attacked for the win early on the bike.
“I knew that I had to hit the gas on the bike right from the start, if I want to have a chance to win. In the last three races my tactics had been similar. This probably has been the key for racing Bahrain.”
When he reached T2, Michael Raelert was 2:34 minutes behind Andreas Dreitz. Only 1:25 minutes behind the Rostockian, Australian Tim Reed led an outstanding chase group into transition, including former Olympic-distance World Champion Tim Don from Great Britain. “I knew I had to make myself going,” said Michael Raelert. He ran the best half marathon of the day in 1:10:19 hours and caught up with Andreas Dreitz after 15 kilometers. He passed him and made his way to a great final of the season.
Photo credits: Frank Wechsel | tri-mag.de