Terenzo Bozzone, Linsey Corbin Win 70.3 Mont-Tremblant

Fast fields headed to Mont-Tremblant in Quebec this weekend on a brisk, clear morning to race what will be the  70.3 World Championship course in 2014. The town will host the big race next September, but this year all eyes were on its championship-level fields at Mont-Tremblant 70.3, where Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) and Linsey Corbin (USA) came out on top after fiercely-fought races.

Men
The men’s race was a nail-biter from start to finish, with no one running away with it. A large group came out of the water at the front, including Bozzone in 24:21, Brent McMahon (CAN) in 24:19, Romain Guillaume (FRA) in 24:31, Martin Jensen (DNK) in 24:26, Sean Bechtel (CAN) in 24:29, and Tom Davison (NZL) in 24:25.

That group stayed close on the bike, despite some solid efforts to break it up over the 56 miles. Guillaume was first to enter T2 after biking a race-best 2:09:48. Less than a minute back were McMahon (2:10:57), Bozzone (2:10:56), and Davison (2:10:43). Bechtel was another 20 seconds behind them after biking 2:10:46. Jensen trailed by another two minutes after biking 2:12:58, while Trevor Wurtele (CAN) was another three minutes behind Jensen after a slower swim and a 2:13:38 bike.

The run stayed close, as places changed rapidly. McMahon and Bozzone, running together, quickly cut into Guillaume’s lead. By four miles in, they were just under 30 seconds back and passed him near the halfway point. Bozzone, though, was slightly stronger and pulled away from McMahon as the finish line came closer. The New Zealander ran a 1:14:34 half marathon to win in 3:53:12. Right behind him, McMahon crossed the line second in 3:53:57 after running a 1:15:22. Guillaume’s 1:18:15 was fast enough to hold onto third in 3:55:58. Behind them, Davison struggled and was passed by Bechtel. But, they both then found themselves passed by Jensen and then Wurtele, who flew through the field. Wurtele used a race-best 1:13:52 run split to make up a large deficit and come in fourth in 3:57:35. Jensen ran a 1:17:09 to work his way up, but couldn’t hold off Wurtele. He crossed the lined fifth in 3:58:28.

Women
Corbin  and hometown favorite Magali Tisseyre (CAN) raced head-to-head all day, starting early in the water. Though Tara Ross (CAN) was first into T1 in 26:47, the pack was close behind with Tisseyre in 27:22 and Corbin trailing her by just seconds in 27:24. They were joined by Caroline St. Pierre (CAN) in 27:28, Suzanne Zelazo (CAN) in 27:27, and Amber Ferreira (USA) in 27:34.

Corbin, Tisseyre and Zelazo quickly passed Ross. By halfway, it was just Corbin and Tisseyre left at the front, a mere seven seconds apart. But, Corbin entered T2 in first, two minutes ahead, after biking a race-best 2:27:22 on the mountainous course. Tisseyre was second with the second-fastest bike in 2:30:00. Zelazo followed behind them after biking a 2:31:58. Xterra expert Melanie McQuaid worked her way up through the field after a slower swim, biking a 2:31:18 to start the run in fourth.

Corbin and Tisseyre are both known for fast run splits and didn’t let up as they raced through town. Corbin used a second-fastest run of 1:26:56 to take the win (wearing her signature cowboy hat at the finish) in 4:26:05. Tisseyre was next, to cheers from the crowds, in 4:29:47 after running a 1:28:27. Zelazo fell off in the run, leaving an opening for McQuaid to take the third podium spot with her 1:31:41 run and 4:36:13 finish. Ferreira made up time on the run (1:28:35) after a slower bike and was fourth in 4:38:36. And, Annie Gervais (CAN) used a blistering race-best 1:26:30 to blow through the field from far back and take the fifth spot in 4:39:51.

Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada – June 23, 2013
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Terenzo Bozzone 3:53:12
2. Brent McMahon 3:53:57
3. Romain Guillaume 3:55:58
4. Trevor Wurtele 3:57:35
5. Martin Jensen 3:58:28

Women
1. Linsey Corbin 4:26:05
2. Magali Tisseyre 4:29:47
3. Melanie McQuaid 4:36:13
4. Amber Ferreira 4:38:36
5. Annie Gervais 4:39:51

Complete results.

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