Top 10 by Miquel Blanchart at the Ironman in Zurich

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The Catalan triathlete has achieved a creditable top 10 in the Ironman of Zurich thanks to a great comeback in the race on foot. 

Miquel Blanchart I went to Switzerland with the intention of adding the necessary points to qualify for the Kona World Cup, but it could not be. He needed a podium at Ironman Zurich but he had to settle for fighting for the top10 he has finally achieved.

The test began with the 3.800m swim where the Swiss Jan Van Berkel was the first to finish the segment with a time of 50'25, giving time to a group of seven triathletes that closed his compatriot Sven Riederer. Miquel, on the other hand, got on the bike in 14 position, more than 4 'of the leaders. For his part, Cameron Wurf one of the favorites that finally took the start arrived at the first transition in 21 position to more than 8 'of the head of the race.

In the first kilometers of cycling, the leading group was reduced thanks to the work of Sven Riederer who was pulling at all times. At km 63, four triathletes were in the lead separated by only 27", Riederer, Phillips, Jurkiewicz and Van Berkel, while behind Wurf he was climbing many positions and was 8th at this kilometer point less than 4 '.

Wurf was chasing the leaders around kilometer 130 and next to him was David Plese, who kept up with the Australian. At this point Miquel was in 20th position at more than 15'. After the 180 km of cycling Cameron Wurf arrived first at T2 with Plese just 23”. Behind them, more than 8' away, was a group with Jurkewicz, Phillips, Berkel and Riederer. For his part, Miquel got off the bike in 16th position, almost 30' behind the leader... but with the top10 less than 10' away.

The marathon was going to be the judge of the race, soon Wurf lost the lead going to Plese, while behind the quartet pursuer was running at a similar pace. For his part Miquel passed the 10 kilometer in 12ª position, making one of the best partials on foot. When passing through the half marathon Plese continued leading with more than 3 'over Wurf who held the second place. Third was Jan Van Berkel who was cutting time and placed 5 'leader.

Miquel on the other hand had ascended to the 11ª position and with the top10 very close. The last kilometers of the marathon are very long to David Plese who gives the first position to Van Berkel at km 35. The Swiss took the victory with a time of 8: 09: 18 and with the best partial run on foot of all competitors.

Meanwhile David Please was second with 8: 13: 27 and Cameron Wurf third with 8: 14: 13. For its part Miquel Blanchart achieved the second best part of the marathon, with 2: 49: 10 what it was worth to make a great comeback and be 10º in goal.

Top 10 male:

1 Van Berkel, Jan (SUI) 08: 09: 18
2 Plese, David (SLO) + 04: 09 08: 13: 27
3 Wurf, Cameron (AUS) + 04: 55 08: 14: 13
4 Phillips, Mike (NZL) + 08: 18 08: 17: 36
5 Schildknecht, Ronnie (SUI) + 12: 34 08: 21: 52
6 Jurkiewicz, Jérémy (FRA) + 14: 51 08: 24: 09
7 Riederer, Sven (SUI) + 15: 35 08: 24: 53
8 Huerzeler, Samuel (SUI) + 20: 16 08: 29: 34
9 Mutterer, Julian (GER) + 21: 19 08: 30: 37
10 Blanchart Red, Miquel (ESP) + 24: 51 08: 34: 09

In the female category there was no Spanish representation, the victory was for the Finnish Kaisa Sali with 9: 06: 01, followed by the American Skye Moench 9: 14: 36 and the British Annabel Luxford with 9: 14: 55.

Top8 Feminine

1 Sali, Kaisa (FIN) 09: 06: 01
2 Moench, Skye (USA) + 08: 35 09: 14: 36
3 Luxford, Annabel (AUS) + 10: 54 09: 16: 55
4 Roberts, Lisa (USA) + 17: 30 09: 23: 31
5 Gruber, Elisabeth (AUT) + 22: 24 09: 28: 25
6 Derron, Nina (SUI) + 25: 49 09: 31: 50
7 Burke, Melanie (NZL) + 32: 50 09: 38: 51
8 Hengartner, Corina (SUI) + 37: 31 09: 43: 32

Photo: Facebook Miquel Blanchart