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 -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
Jonny Brownlee Tokyo 2020 Mixed Team Relay run leg
Triathlon superstar Jonny Brownlee has revealed why he will NOT be doing an IRONMAN any time soon
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga results 2025: Long and Alexander win as swims are CANCELLED
Hanne De Vet wins Challenge Family The Championship 2025
The Championship 2025 women’s results: Hanne De Vet star of the show in Samorin
kristian hogenhaug wins challenge family the championship 2025
The Championship 2025 men’s results: Høgenhaug back to winning ways in Samorin
Kristian Blummenfelt wins 703 Aix en Provence 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence results 2025: Blummenfelt and Pierré just too good
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...