David McNamee of the BMC-Etixx Pro Triathlon Team p/b Uplace clinched the podium in Ironman Lanzarote. The Scottish athlete finished a very hot, windy and tough Ironman in 8:46:36. Jesse Thomas (USA; 8:42:33) won the race ahead of Jan Frodeno (GER; 8:44:38).
After the first of two swim laps, McNamee settled in the leading group. He entered T1 in 5th place and thanks to a fast transition he started the 180k bike ride in 2nd, just a few seconds behind Stephen Bayliss.
In the first kilometers David took over command of Bayliss and led the race. He managed to build up a substantial advantage, but just over the 70k mark he had to let Ackermann pass and settle for 2nd. Frodeno was riding in 3rd at that moment in time, 2’20 behind the Scotsman. David didn’t crack under the position switch and kept the gap with Ackermann around half a minute. After Mirador del Rio, on their way back towards T2, Frodeno passed McNamee. So the BMC-Etixx athlete jumped off his bike in 3rd place following Frodeno in his footsteps.
David had to settle in his pace in the beginning of the marathon but was able to pass Ackermann for second. After 16k David dropped back and was battling with Rana for 4th. The duo passed Bracht for 3rd, but just over halfway through the run David could not follow the pace of Rana and had to let him go. A few kilometers later McNamee clearly felt he had something left in his tank. He built up his pace and closed down the gap towards Rana. With 5k to go he managed to pass the Spaniard. David immediately pulled out a gap and crossed the finish line in a fantastic third place.
Battling in front of the race for the whole day, McNamee was very satisfied with his performance and podium spot.
‘I have a really good feeling about today. Third place in such a world class field is amazing. The swim went well, on the bike I felt very well for about 120k. The first 10k on the run were a real struggle. In the last part of the run my legs really suffered, but it obviously came good. I was surviving better than other people and managed to move up to 3rd. So a day ending on the podium is a good day.’
