Search
shop

McNamee wins, Pallant second at IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca

"The best executed race of my life". Why IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca 2017 was a special day for David McNamee
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

David McNamee defeats three-time champion, Andreas Dreitz in Alcudia

Laura Philipp defends (GER) defends women’s title as Emma Pallant runs through to second

In my preview for today’s IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca, I highlighted the British success at the race over the years, and said that “Pallant and McNamee are surely the best chances of a British Pro podium.” That proved to be correct – though I will also admit, that I didn’t expect the winner for the past three years, Andreas Dreitz (GER), to be beaten. Happy to be wrong on that front!

(Though she was on the start list, 2015 winner Daniela Ryf did not race today).

David described his race today as “The best executed race of my life”, and when you lead out the swim, give up ‘only’ three and a half minutes on the bike to an uber-biker like Dreitz and then produce the fastest run of the day to win by one minute, that’s a fair call. McNamee and Dreitz were really in a different post code today, with third placed Miquel Blanchart (ESP) almost eight minutes behind the Scot. Just a few weeks after his great effort at IRONMAN Texas, Will Clarke took fourth. His next major target is IRONMAN UK.

Germany’s Laura Philipp was a class act least year and won again in some style. While 2012 Olympic Silver medallist, Lisa Norden, headed the swim in 24:38, Philipp (25:55) wasn’t too far back, alongside Great Britain’s Emma Pallant and her BMC-Etixx team mate, Amelia Watkinson (NZL). We think Norden, a very strong cyclist, must have had some issues in the opening miles as she was soon way off her expected pace, but meanwhile Philipp made her way to the front and pulled away and clear, as she did 12 months ago.

By T2 she was 3:32 clear of Watkinson and seven minutes up on Pallant. It was her race to lose – and she wasn’t going to do that.

Pallant ran the fastest women’s time of the day (1:20:09) to move up to second, but Philipp only gave up two minutes to the fleet-footed Brit. While Watkinson dropped back with a 1:30:03 half marathon, Philipp arrived at the finish with a very healthy five minute winning margin, before the BMC-Etixx pairing completed the podium.

IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca – Saturday 13th May 2017
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – David McNamee (GBR) – 3:56:49
2nd – Andreas Dreitz (GER) – 3:57:50
3rd – Miquel Blanchart (ESP) – 4:04:30
4th – Will Clarke (GBR) – 4:07:23
5th – Johnathan Ciavatella (ITA) – 4:10:15

PRO WOMEN

1st – Laura Philipp (GER) – 4:21:41
2nd – Emma Pallant (GBR) – 4:26:51
3rd – Amelia Watkinson (NZL) – 4:33:03
4th – Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) – 4:36:50
5th – Jenny Schulz (GER) – 4:41:19

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
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
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...