The world is at the feet of in-form German Michael Raelert who will go for gold in the former gold mining boomtown of Ballarat in Victoria, Australia this weekend.
His own world record could be in reach of German Michael Raelert in this weekend’s inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat.
Raelert, the two-time world champion over the distance, showed he has re-found his form after winning in near-record time at IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah in Western Australia last weekend.
He was a minute under world record pace for much of the race in Mandurah, only slowing when victory was assured. His winning time of 3:35.55 was just over a minute slower than his record of 3:34:04, set in 2009.
"I was racing for the win, I didn’t realise how close I was to the record," Raelert says "I’m not disappointed, but if I knew it was that close I would have raced a little differently."
Australia’s multi IRONMAN winner Luke Bell, who finished fourth at Mandurah, believes given the right conditions and based on Raelert’s form, the record could go.
"For Michael to come within one minute of his own world record at Mandurah will have given him some motivation to 'go for gold' on Sunday and set a new world’s best time," Bell says.
Since recovering from a bike crash in January, Raelert has reeled off three IRONMAN 70.3 wins in a row at Reugen in Germany, Miami in USA and Mandurah. Those wins have seen him regain the form and confidence that saw him win IRONMAN 70.3 world titles in 2009 and 2010.
The biggest threat will likely come from Bell. He has been troubled by a knee injury since IRONMAN Asa-Pacific Melbourne in March, just getting through SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah pain-free felt like a win.
"Since getting home from North America I’ve had numerous physiotherapy appointments along with biomechanical analysis and strength and conditioning work. And the body has responded well," he says.
In the women’s race the winner looks set to come from one of three athletes: Melanie McQuaid (CAN), Mareen Hufe (GER) and Madeleine Oldfield (AUS).
Hufe finished second at SunSmart IRONMAN Western Australia last year and was seventh at SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah last weekend.
Oldfield comes into the race on the back of a second place finish at last weekend’s Murray Man Triathlon.
McQuaid is looking forward to racing in Ballarat, and has had a solid year recording victories at IRONMAN 70.3 Boise, IRONMAN 5150 Saskatoon and Xterra Canada.
"I really enjoyed my stay in Victoria last year and I look forward to racing at a new venue in a city I have never visited. It is a great way to pick my way through Australia, meet some new people and experience new places," she says.