In particularly impressive fashion – he beat some of the best athletes in the world – Nicolas Mann has just won Ironman 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne. The German athlete was strong in the race from the beginning, constantly battling from the front and finally striking during the half marathon.
Immediately during the swim, a large leading group of about ten athletes formed, including world champion Rico Bogen, Youri Keulen, Andrea Salvisberg, Clément Mignon and also Mann. Largest absentee in this leading group was Gustav Iden, who came out of the water in thirteenth place, more than a minute behind. For the Norwegian, it was not going to be the day he was hoping for anyway, as his arrears increased throughout the day and in the end he would not play any significant role in the race.
During the bike, a large leading group stayed together and in wet conditions, the contenders changed little in that regard. Once back in T2, eight men started the final half marathon simultaneously, where the final decision would thus fall.
There it was Bogen who started fastest, followed briefly by Mann. Bogen’s lead grew to about half a minute, but even before the halfway point Mann began to catch up to him and eventually grab a lead as well. From then on, Mann built his lead and ran to an impressive victory.
Mann won the race in 3:39:48, Keulen finished second in 3:40:24 and Mignon finished third in 3:40:37. Bogen lost his podium finish in the final kilometers and finished fourth.
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