After a terrific start to Luxembourg 70.3 two weekends ago, an unfortunate broken chain during the bike leg brought Svenja Thoes' race to an untimely end. This got me thinking about Ironman France just seven days later, and whether to send Svenja to race.
Our biggest concern was if Svenja could handle the steep dangerous descents of the Nice course. We spent the first part of the week attempting to ask Svenja in her second language if she was a good descender, and then determining what descending actually was! Once we got the note, 'I go down hill okay, not scared at all', it was Nice here we come, and was that the truth!
Svenja using her weight, or lack of it, on the climbs to full advantage. Then descending like a tour de France pro rider, she put the race out of reach of her competitors. Off the bike she then ran an excellent marathon.
Our squad has witnessed how hard Svenja has worked to turn her career around, so on pool deck today all celebrated her victory. Well done for racing in true Trisutto athlete style. We look forward to seeing you back in camp soon.