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).

A victory that I will always remember. Pushed to a whole new level of hurt today #victorytape pic.twitter.com/FyWZoUpD3H

— David McNamee (@DavidMcNameetri) May 13, 2017

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.

The first reaction of our athletes in Mallorca: @Theclarke pic.twitter.com/TeuaHaA80F

— Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team (@BianchiProTri) May 13, 2017

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.

Great team effort! Both our girls on the podium as @EmmaPallant takes 2nd place and @AmeliaWatkinson finishing in 3rd #IM703Mallorca pic.twitter.com/nHDzFsf9VU

— Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team (@BianchiProTri) May 13, 2017

The first reaction of our athletes in Mallorca: @EmmaPallant pic.twitter.com/B1xWdVqfV1

— Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team (@BianchiProTri) May 13, 2017

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