As the sun began to rise on race morning, revealing a perfect clear and calm sky, I could tell it was going to be a very fast day for racing. Before I knew it, we were lined up on the beach facing the Gulf of Mexico, ready to start the World Ironman 70.3 Championships.

I started next to Terenzo Bozzone on the right hand side of the course and was ready for a furious start. I love beach starts, as I am usually very good at them although today I can tell you wasn’t one of my best starts. As the cannon that signaled the start of the race literally blew up right beside us, I think instead of going forward, Terenzo and I were blown backwards, almost stunned before we plunged into the water. For the first two minutes my ears were ringing and I was thinking, “Am I ever going to be able to hear again?” A few dolphin dives got me up to the front of the pack and I swam comfortably near the lead for most of the swim, although Andy Potts and Paul Matthews snuck away from us around half way.

 

I was out of the water in the top ten and after a smooth transition was onto the bike in 4th. It didn’t take long for me to realize the pace was going to be on from the get-go. Before we were even five miles into the ride, I had jostled back and forth with more than 15 guys for the lead before we finally settled into a long, strung out line of around 20 to 25 racers. The first 15 miles weaved in and around the neighborhoods of Clearwater and it seemed like it was going to turn into an ITU-type race, rendering the bike useless, but as soon as we hit the open highway sections of the course, the pace hit top speed and guys began to drop like flies.

Around the 35 mile mark, the 25 or so riders in the front had been reduced to around 10 and the group included me, defending champ Andy Potts, Terenzo, Andrew Starykowicz, Richie Cunningham, Oscar Galindez, Joe Gambles, Reinaldo Collucci, David Thompson and Fraser Cartmell. These boys were all riding well and they all went on the post 2:02 or lower bike splits for the 56 miles! With a few miles to ride, Terenzo, Galindez, Colucci and Starykowicz gapped us by about 30 seconds as we entered T2.

I had a great transition and was fifth onto the run course. Richie blew straight by me after just a quarter mile and I didn’t have the speed to match him. I settled into a good pace and after passing Starykowicz I was running in fifth place again. I honestly didn’t expect to feel so good since I hadn’t done much running since Kona. I ran a solid first lap, being passed only by Andy and a flying Andreas Raelert.

Going into lap two, I had a chance to look back through the field and although I was confident I could hang in the top ten, I was wary of Joe Gambles and a hard-charging Brent McMahon behind me. With 3 miles to run, it looked like I had a comfortable 30 to 40 second gap on Joe but the Ironman in my legs really started to bite and I was right on the rivet. Getting over the bridge the last time was a struggle and I was sure one of the guys behind would catch me. Luckily, in the last 2 miles I had lots of support from friends and that carried me to the line for a very pleasing 7th place finish. My time of 3.45.10 was also the fastest I have ever posted over this distance.

I was really pleased to finish in the top ten. While it was my goal, I was thinking it might have been a little ambitious so soon after Kona. There was so much unknown as to how my body would hold up. After having a disappointing day in Kona I was happy to finish the season on a high note.

I have to congratulate Terenzo for his dominating win. He raced smart and without fear. After spending two weeks training with him in Hawaii prior to the race, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be his year. He is definitely one of the best half-ironman distance athletes in the world but he had so much bad luck in those few weeks prior to the race. He had crashed his bike and broke a bone in his hand and was suffering with the vog – “volcanic fog”, which troubles asthmatics in Kona. 

Yesterday he showed just how tough he is, more mentally than physically. It was a great experience for me to watch those few weeks unfold. I think I learned a lot.

I would like to thank all my awesome sponsors that supported me in 2008. Erik, David, Ivette and the whole K-Swiss crew, you have been amazing to work with this year and it is a privilege to be part of the family. Thank you to my good friend and sponsor Adrian of Amalgamated Textiles in Australia who supports Amanda and my journey. We look forward to seeing you next week mate! Big thanks also go to PowerBar, SCOTT, Zipp, SRAM, FSA, Fizi:k, BlueSeventy, Nuun, FuelBelt, Sidi and Smith.

Thanks to mum and dad for their support and to my beautiful, amazing girlfriend Amanda for pushing me to be the best I can be. I love you all!

Check my Blog: www.lukemckenzie.com/blog  I uploaded a five minute video highlight of the race!

1. BOZZONE, TERENZO 4/3/1 22:17 02:01:28 01:12:57 03:40:10

2.  RAELERT, ANDREAS 7/15/2 22:21 02:03:37 01:10:53 03:40:42

3.  CUNNINGHAM, RICHIE 10/9/3 22:29 02:02:08 01:13:49 03:41:46

4.  GALINDEZ, OSCAR 27/4/4 23:47 01:59:55 01:14:47 03:42:28

5.  COLUCCI, REINALDO 14/5/5 23:03 02:00:34 01:15:47 03:43:22

6. POTTS, ANDY 1/8/6 21:44 02:02:58 01:16:16 03:44:30

7. MCKENZIE, LUKE 8/6/7 22:22 02:02:01 01:17:16 03:45:11

8.  MCMAHON, BRENT 5/13/8 22:20 02:03:56 01:11:36 03:45:43

9.  GAMBLES, JOE 26/10/9 23:46 02:01:25 01:18:05 03:46:22

10. CARTMELL, FRASER 3/11/10 22:09 02:02:24 01:18:21 03:46:34

SCOTT Progressive athletes Mike Hopkins and James Doerfling both had impressive runs at this year’s Red Bull Rampage, held October 11 - 12 in Virgin, Utah. Hopkins placed 6^th overall in the final round, showing that big mountain riding is his style. Both James and Mike were competing in their first Rampage, as the event lay dormant for four years and the last installment was well before these athletes turned pro. In fact, it was the unbelievable footage that came from the original competition that inspired these young riders to progress their own skills.

 

The Rampage has evolved just like riders have in the last few years. Instead of simple natural terrain, course designers implemented new man-made features to challenge competitors. Only a few guys, including Hopkins, hit the 60-foot gap jump. It takes a real sense of confidence to send it like that. The level of tricks has improved as well, and the new course features catered to riders who could add a trick or two to their runs. Ultimately it took a diverse rider who could tackle big terrain and trick each feature. Style, fluidity and amplitude were also measured in the contest, ultimately rewarding the best overall riders.

 

Hopkins and Doerfling were aboard the SCOTT Gambler, contest proven for Freeride with its versatile set up configurations and durable frame. It has adjustable travel from 190mm to 230mm and an adjustable head tube angle, allowing it to tackle events like the Rampage or your local shuttle run.

As I write this, my last training as a professional cyclist is behind me. My very last race in 20 years of pro cycling is still ahead.
 

This summer I was not quite sure how many ‘Cross races I was going to do in my last season. I even thought about continuing until Nationals in January 2009.
 

My left knee made the decision for me. Like last year, I hurt my meniscus in a crash during training at the World Cup final in Schladming in September. Ever since, I rode in pain, sometimes more, sometimes less. In order to heal, I needed a break of a few weeks. This was also a sign to call it an end. It was tough, because I wanted to finish up with some of the classic races in my area and have the pleasure to race the brand new SCOTT carbon Cyclocross bike before retiring.
 

I chose Hittnau near Zürich to be my very last race. It’s where I started my cycling career. In September 1985, I did my very first Cyclocross race there… and won!
23 years later the circle is going to close, most likely not with a win.
 

I used up all my luck and energy to win in Steinmaur last weekend, the longest running ‘cross race in Switzerland (2008 was the 48th edition). It is the one prestigious race that I was never able to win as a pro. But I had like six or so second places there. Finally, in my second to last race, my little dream came true. I have to say that because of the World Cup in Tabor, many of the best riders where missing. But a win is a win. And it was a tight one too. Five riders went into last lap together, Belgium's Davy Commeyne and Jan Sloetens plus Swiss Lukas Flückiger and my teammate Jürg Graf. Jürg opened up a gap for me with half a lap to go. Flückiger closed it, but at the very end I had the 3 seconds I needed to bring it home. The win was a sweet one. The dry and fast course with not one dismount did its part to make it happen. In the previous races I had problems with my knee, especially in the running sections. Jürg Graf’s third place and Mathias Rupps victory in the Amateur category made the Swisspower team’s success complete.
We had very mild weather until a few days ago. In Hittnau, there will be Cyclocross conditions at their worst! We got our first snowstorm a few days ago. Now there are 20 centimeters of snow on the course that are slowly melting.

This is a finale I could only dream of. First, I unexpectedly win my second-to-last race and then I get one last chance to experience the full on Cyclocross experience - riding and running in deep mud. These tough conditions will allow me to leave racing with no regrets…

Ride on,

Frischi
 

The eleventh annual 24 Hours of Moab saw a few upsets to pre-race predictions and witnessed the emergence of new contenders in the men's and women's solo category.

24 Hours of Moab Women's Solo winner, SCOTT athlete Jari Kirkland, rode a tidy race to step easily on top of the podium. As a seasoned adventure racer, Kirkland clearly possessed the mental toughness to finish her first ever solo 24-hour race.

Her crew, captained by veteran soloist Jon Brown, plus family members following the race from a distance, provided the right amount of support to help Kirkland win the race. She completed 14 laps or, 210 miles with 19,040 feet of climbing, in 23:32:32.

We congratulate Jari and wish her the best in 2009.

It's been a few days since the Hawaii Ironman and I have finally gotten around to writing a race report.

It definitely was one tough day at the office! It was full of highs and lows and everything in between. It just wouldn't be Kona without drama.

I got off to a good start in the swim but soon found that there were several packs of 3-4 guys spread way apart heading out to the turn around boat. It was hard to know who was taking the best and fastest line. The ocean seemed a little calmer than the previous two years I have raced here and the swim back to shore seemed to go really quickly. I swam conservatively in a bunch of 6-8 guys and I led the group into the pier, exiting the water in 6th place.



I felt great during the opening miles of the bike and was right at the pointy end of a group as we raced through the town section and onto the Queen K. The group seemed to sort itself into a long line and I established myself near the front with Eneko Llanos, Faris Al Sultan, Chris McCormack (Macca) and Craig Alexander (Crowie).

Riding in 6th place, I was happy with the pace and was right where I wanted to be when my world came crashing down around me. Just after going through an aid station before the scenic lookout descent, I looked up to see that the gap between myself and Macca had reduced from the legal 10 meters and instead of pulling out of the draft zone and going around him I made a mistake and hit my brakes only to look straight over at referee Jimmy Riccitello who instantly pulled a red card on me. I couldn't believe it. That meant 4 minutes at the penalty tent and a definite loss of contact with the key group of leaders.

My stop at the penalty tent was agonizing. To have been right near the front end of the race then standing on the side of the road watching everyone fly past was not fun at all. Luckily I had my bike sponsor Scott Montgomery (SCOTT bicycles) and Suzette Ayotte (Fizik) on hand (they were spotting for Ironman live) and they calmed me down and told me my race was not over. Thanks for your words Scott and Suzette!

I jumped back on four long minutes later and initially rode well after my short break but it was soon apparent that I had set out too hard. Once I hit the climbs at the bottom of Hawi I was toast and a bunch of guys blew past me like I was standing still. I rode the rest of Hawi in no man's land and was in trouble. I had to back off the pace and regain myself or my race would have been over.

The ride back was horrible. The winds were at their strongest and I went through several good and bad patches. A few times I thought my race was done but then I would ease off just a little and get my rhythm back. Coming back into Kona town, I passed two previous Hawaii Champions Luc Van Lierde and Thomas Hellrigel and that gave me a little boost. Maybe I could still manage a good result after all?
Ironman Play by Play - Luke Mckenzie

I think I hit the run in about 30th but it was soon apparent that there were people in serious trouble. Had all these guys ridden too hard? I passed four guys in the first 3 miles who were either walking, vomiting or had pulled out. Each time I got a little boost and it lifted my spirits.

At the Church turnaround, I counted 26 runners and considering my up and down ride I wasn't in a bad position at all. By the time I had run back to town I had passed a few more guys and was now up to 23rd place. Everyone kept yelling "they're all in trouble", because a lot of the early run leaders had hit the wall and I was wondering if it was possible I could crack the top 20 again?

Half way out to the Energy Lab I was feeling great, holding a good 3-hour marathon pace when I unexpectedly began to vomit just after I ran through an aid station. Three or four times I hurled up orange Gatorade. From that point I was in trouble again. The only thing I could bear to eat or drink was Coke. My pace reduced to a crawl for a few miles and three or four guys ran past me. Once the Coke seemed to "kick in" I got back to a good rhythm and ran strong to the finish for 29th place in 9 hours and 2 minutes. Not exactly what I was looking for but considering how my day panned out I will take that result any day.

It was a good experience in the end to have to deal with such a tough day mentally. Like Amanda said to me out on the course "If you want to win this race one day you have to learn to suffer." Hopefully someday that time in 2008 when I gutted out a tough day will come back to help me push to the line for the win :-)

Thanks for all the support and messages of encouragement I have received over the past few weeks. I know I didn't have "my day" this year in Hawaii but I lived to fight another day and will be on the start line next October ready to do battle once again!

Next stop for me... Clearwater, Florida for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (November 8) then back to Australia for Ironman Western Australia (December 7) to finish my 2008 season.