Lieto, Wellington Dominate Bike Leg To Take Ironman 70.3 Kansas

Today’s Ironman 70.3 Kansas had a special meaning to both of its winners. For American Chris Lieto, it was that first win of 2010 he’s been looking for all year. For Great Britain’s Chrissie Wellington, it was affirmation that she has returned to top form after a bike crash in early 2010.

The day started off with super-swimmer Andy Potts of the United States beating the men out of the water with a time of 23:32. Lieto exited 90 seconds later and went to work on his strongest leg of the race, the bike. Lieto’s bike split of 2:05:30 put him well ahead of Potts heading onto the run. Another strong cyclist and Lieto’s Trek/K-Swiss teammate Andrew Yoder turned in the second fastest bike split of the day to start the half-marathon only behind Lieto. Potts headed into T2 in third position and quickly tried to outpace both Lieto and Yoder. Potts quickly caught Yoder, but it was not his day to overcome Lieto. Lieto took the win with an overall time of 3:44:07. Potts posted a blazing 1:07:15 half marathon to finish second at 3:44:31. Yoder held on for the final podium spot at 3:49:46.

In the women’s race, Wellington did what she knows best and got out of sight on the 56-mile bike leg. She exited the water about three minutes back of Australia’s Pip Taylor, but the gap didn’t last long. Wellington quickly hammered to the front and stayed there, winning with a time of 4:13:35. Taylor easily held onto her second position at 4:24:29.

Ironman 70.3 Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas – June 6, 2010
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Chris Lieto (USA) 3:44:07
2. Andy Potts (USA) 3:44:31
3. Andrew Yoder (USA) 3:49:46
4. Stephen Hackett (AUS) 3:59:54
5. Brent Poulsen (USA) 04:00:23

Women
1. Chrissie Wellington (GBR) 4:07:49
2. Pip Taylor (AUS) 4:24:29
3. Linsey Corbin (USA) 4:25:58
4. Christine Anderson (USA) 4:32:45
5. Uli Bromme (USA) 4:38:10