Ronnie Schildknecht of the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team came third in today’s Ironman 70.3 Budapest. Clocking in at 03:51:2", 3'45" behind the winner Bruno Pais (POR), runner up Alberto Casadei (ITA) finished on 1'24" of Pais.
Ronnie started the day with a controlled swim. He came out of the water in 13th position, 1'50" minutes behind swim leader Alberto Casadei. During the bike leg Ronnie started to catch up with a good pace and moved up to the 5th position entering T2 1'43" behind the winner Bruno Pais. During the run, Ronnie succeeded in passing Maxim Kriat (RUS) and Benjamin Sanson (FRA). This led to a well-deserved podium place in the Ironman 70.3 Budapest.
Not happy, not unhappy
Ronnie Schildknecht decided late to participate in the Ironman 70.3 in Budapest in search for his Kona qualification. Ronnie confirms: "Today, I came to win. So I am not happy, but I am also not unhappy. A third place is ok."
"During the swim, I felt no so good. On the bike I felt strong but not fast, which is good in an Iron Man but not in a 70.3 race. During the run, I moved up to the podium, this was the maximum for today. I tried every thing today, hopefully it will be enough for Kona".
70.3 Budapest results
Men……………………............Women
1.Bruno Pais 3:47:39…..............1.Michelle Vesterby 4:19:20
2.Alberto Casadei +1:11….........2.Erika Csomor +6:27
3.Ronnie Schildknecht +3:45…..3.Anna Halasz +6:53
4.Maxim Kriat +5:39…..............4.Milli Polak +11:27
5.Markus Thomschke +7:38…..5.Juliane Straub +14:23