Search
shop

IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon 2023: Benito Lopez, Riveros dominate in Chile

The 2023 triathlon season is up and running at IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon, Chile
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Taking its traditional spot as the first professional race of the season, IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon saw 2023 get underway with a sixth win at her home race for Barbara Riveros, while Spain retained hold of the men’s title via Antonia Benito Lopez.

Advertisement

Spain reigns again in Pucon

12 months ago it was the legendary Javier Gomez taking the title in Chile. No Javier this year, but in his absence another Spaniard, Antonia Benito Lopez, took the first professional triathlon win of the 2023 season. Second at IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea last year, it was also his first IRONMAN 70.3 title.

Benito Lopez was part of a leading group of five exiting the water. That had become four at the end of the challenging 90km ride. The veteran Reinaldo Colucci (BRA) led into T2, with home athletes, Martin Ulloa and Martin Baeza Munoz, plus the Spaniard.

Once onto the run however, Antonio did his best Javier impression, cruising to the best run split of the day and taking the tape four minutes clear of Ulloa, while Marc Dubrick (USA) ran through to stop the clock at four hours exactly to complete the podium.

No stress for Barbara Riveros

Winner of the race for five consecutive editions from 2015 to 2019 inclusive, home favourite Barbara Riveros found herself in the unusual position of finishing second 12 months ago when IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon returned to the post-pandemic calendar. Normal service resumed on Sunday, when she took the title for a sixth time, in what was a small professional female field.

Exiting the opening 1.9km swim, it was fellow Chilean, Macarena Salazar, leading the way with Riveros, Romina Biagioli (ARG) and the USA’s Brittany Higgins right on her shoulder.

The PTO’s #31 ranked athlete was swift in transition however – no doubt from her distinguished ITU career – taking the lead and then taking total control. Eight and a half minutes clear of the Argentinian after 90km of riding and full ten minutes up on Higgins, she was under no stress at at starting the run.

Still, a fastest run split brought her home with a winning margin of almost 13 minutes, as Biagioli and Higgins completed a somewhat distant podium. That third however was hard-earned for the American who had been caught by Florencia Vasquez (CHI) during the run, only to reclaim that podium spot inside the final kilometre.

IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon, Chile – Sunday 8th January 2023
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

  • 1. Antonio Benito Lopez (ESP) – 3:55:16
  • 2. Martin Ulloa (CHI) – 3:59:21
  • 3. Felipe Santos (BRA) – 4:04:16
  • 4. Denilo Melo (BRA) – 4:11:37
  • 5. Martin Baeza Munoz (CHI) – 4:14:12

PRO WOMEN

  • 1. Barbera Riveros (CHI) – 4:26:48
  • 2. Brittany Higgins (USA) – 4:45:56
  • 3. Florencia Vaquez (CHI) – 4:46:26
  • 4. Laura Mathews (USA) – 4:47:27
  • 5. Macarena Salazar (CHI) – 4:56:46
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
Olympic medallist and T100 winner reveals she’s stepping up to full distance next
Sam Laidlow Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Laidlow prompts groundbreaking move as Race Ranger data will be made public
Kat Matthews IRONMAN Texas Finish Line 2025
Kat Matthews and Magnus Ditlev top 70.3 Swansea fields as IRONMAN Pro Series heads to Wales
Kristian Blummenfelt Kristian Hogenhaug Casper Stornes IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
Triathlon GOAT Mark Allen sends “great champions” message to red-hot superstar Kristian Blummenfelt
Zachary Josie bike
Age-group athlete with dwarfism says INCREDIBLE goal is “in his grasp” at Challenge Roth
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...