At the first edition of the Ironman Mallorca, Timo Bracht finished in tenth place, whereas his team mate Niclas Bock had to give up the race after the 180 k on the bike. Although both athletes failed to live up to their expectations, they were deeply impressed by the beautiful and yet demanding courses and by the great atmosphere among the spectators.
The result of Timo Bracht's experiment was indeed that three long distance triathlons within ten weeks are too much to be able to deliver a top performance in every reace. After his triumph at Challenge Roth, he raced at Ironman Copenhagen and now at Ironman Mallorca. The swim in the bay of Alcudia in the northern part of the Balearic island went just as planned and together with Niclas Bock he left the water just three minutes behind the leading group. On the first 75 kilometres it was Bracht setting the pace and before half time of the bike course both POWER HORSE athletes had reached the big lead group.
Experience vs. imprudence
It was too much courage that made Bock take the lead of the first group of twelve athletes. Yet later, on the 20 k climb to the Monastry of Lluc, he lost touch and gave up the race exhausted and disappointed after the second discipline. Bracht, on the other hand, began the run in a promising position. Yet, for the athlete from Eberbach, the race took a unusual course: normally, the marathon is a particular strength of Bracht. But on this day he had no chance to intervene in the battle for victory. Nonetheless, he finished his race in tenth place. With the exception of Ironman Hawaii, it was the first long distance race for twelve years which he did not finish among the first three. "Well, a very good season ended with an average performance", Timo Bracht summed up the weekend, before travelling back home.