70.3 Gdynia: Ditlev and Norden ride to success in Poland

Career best performance from Thomas Davis in second

Another podium for Kimberley Morrison

“It’s all about the bike” may well have applied today at IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia in Poland.

Already known for its fast potential (check out Daniela Ryf in 2018 and Jan Frodeno in 2019), bike power and aerodynamics was certainly the backbone to the success today of Magnus Ditlev (DEN) and Lisa Norden (SWE).

We’ve seen Ditlev feature strongly before (e.g. Dubai earlier in the season), but his first professional victory would be set up by a crushing 1:57:38 bike split, which left him more than six minutes clear at T2, from a chase group which featured Robert Kallin (SWE), Florian Angert (GER), Jan Stratmann (GER), Kristian Hogenhaug (DEN), MikI Taagholt (DEN) and young Brit, Thomas Davis.

Ditlev wouldn’t be challenged on the run – his 1:16:08 half marathon leaving him 2:20 clear at the finish – but for Davis, this would be his best ever performance. Joining the ERDINGER Alkoholfrei International squad at the beginning of the season, this was his first chance to justify their face and show his progression. Taking second place, with twice IRONMAN World Champion, Patrick Lange, in third and another top ERDINGER athlete, Florian Angert, down in seventh should have done that.

“My best numbers and I felt I raced smart. Pretty chuffed to be fair.” And rightly so. Nice work Tom.

The women’s Pro race followed a similar script. The cycling power of Lisa Norden (SWE) is no secret, a multiple Swedish Time Trial champion. First out of the water with just Carolin Lehrieder (GER) for company, 90km (and 2:15:51) later, she would start the run with an eight minute advantage over the German, with Kimberley Morrison 9:41 back.

While Lehrieder closed four minutes, those positions remained until the finish.

Chantal Cummings finished sixth, just over two minutes down on Morrison.

IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia, Poland – Sunday 6th September 2020
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Magnus Ditlev (DEN) – 3:42:37
2nd – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 3:44:57
3rd – Patrick Lange (GER) – 3:45:50
4th – Robert Kallin (SWE) – 3:46:01
5th – Jan Stratmann (GER) – 3:46:57

PRO WOMEN

1st – Lisa Norden (SWE) – 4:19:15
2nd – Carolin Lehrieder (GER) – 4:23:45
3rd – Kimberley Morrison (GBR) – 4:29:41
4th – Joanna Soltysiak (POL) – 4:30:05
5th – Ewa Komander (POL) – 4:30:07
6th – Chantal Cummings (GBR) – 4:31:56