IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Tallinn: Laura Philipp wins thriller as Heemeryck reigns

Laura Philippp and Pieter Heemeryck claimed pro wins as IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Tallinn took centre stage in Estonia on Sunday.

German star Philipp outpaced her rivals on the run to come out on top in a quality field, while Heemeryck did likewise to claim the men’s pro race.

Pro Women – Laura runs to victory

Lucy Buckingham blasted out to a lead of over 90 seconds in the swim, surging clear of Imogen Simmonds while Emma Pallant-Browne and eventual winner Philipp were just under three minutes off the pace in the early going.

Buckingham continued to lead until deep into the bike leg, when Simmonds took over at the front, leading Lucy, Lisa Norden and Philipp into T2. It was now all to play for on the run, with Pallant-Browne further back in fifth – just over a minute down.

The battle for the win came down to Philipp and Simmonds, with Laura taking over early on the run before Imogen reclaimed the advantage. It was not until the closing kilometres that Philipp really asserted to take the win by a 48-second margin. Pallant-Browne grabbed the final spot on the podium despite a grim battle with the humidity on course – ahead of Norden, Amelia Watkinson and Buckingham.

Pro Men – Heemeryck too good

Italy’s Alessandro Fabian led the men’s pro field out of the water in Estonia, with eventual Heemeryck down in 12th, but only 30 seconds off the pace.

Heemeryck – enjoying a fine 2023 season so far – moved to the front early on the bike leg and he then cut out the pace along with New Zealander Mike Philipps. It was the Kiwi who led into T2, but Heemeryck would hold sway on the run.

The Belgian star was just too strong, gradually building a winning advantage en route to victory over Philipps by just under two minutes. Fabian would claim the final podium spot.