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Other entries in Monaco

Monaco 70.3

I decided not to write a race report about the Monaco 70.3 for 2 reasons.
 
1. Dave Lombard (The man now known as the "ultimate rookie")
2. No tri-Zen musings - this event was the culmination of a bitter seasons racing between the Stoat, Rabobi, Temples and Biggs - as this race was only about beating ones mates - knowing thyself and all that nonsense didn't come into it.

However, that aside I do want to pass on a few comments about the event itself.

I have to say it is one of the best Ironman events that I have ever done (usually spoiled by an obligatory swim and run). The professionalism and alacrity with which the event was handled was superb. Check-in the day before the race was in a breeze, racking of bikes was quick and efficient with no stress at all. This swift organisation propelled us unexpectedly to a beery lunch on the beach - it seemed the natural way to end the taper under the circumstances (something about The Devil, idle hands and beer).  Race strategy discussions were heavily distracted by the beautiful people that moved languidly around, although to be honest the race strategy discussions focused purely on breeding self-doubt in your mates i.e. Your bike is really heavy, the hills will have you and I think you got your taper all wrong. There is no better way to prepare.
Next...the race itself. The start time is the usual 7am, and unfortunately for Monaco's sea front residents who are woken up far earlier than that by thumping euro pop, are greeted then with the unpleasant sight of 600 vaselined- gimp-suit clad morons on their beach. 

The Swim, well, its two laps.

The Bike - now this is one of the best bike courses I have done. A true pleasure and a definite riding highlight for me in 2006. Wonderful road surfaces (other than one short section), fantastic scenery and is exceedingly well marshalled. The ascents are long and pleasurable. The descents are sharp, technical and as reminder of this, one is treated to the sight of grazed flesh throughout the day.  One such hero cut inside me on a hairpin and with a whurr of his carbon wheels he was gone. Happily two bends later I passed him groaning in a heap after mistiming the bend. The only negative comment I have about the bike course - there were an unnecessary 10 km's of flat stuff. Honestly, why do that?
The Run - 21 km's, 5 laps along the waterfront. The organisers excitedly inform you that you will be running the "slowest corner in Formula 1 and fastest in triathlon" which unfortunately appeals to the tri-diehards. The glow of the famed F1 track evaporates rapidly in the face of dull pain that accompanies the next 20 kilometres. Included in the deal is one beast of a hill on each lap. But it's well supported along the entire route and very unique.

Sitting at the finish cheering on the athletes, I compared this event to the UK 70.3 2005, of a damp marquee in a cow field, a handful of lost and bemused spectators being drizzled on and a swim in something disturbingly clear as the Wimbledon Park pond....it all just seemed so ropey.  That's when the photo of Dave running across some farmer's field sprang to mind.....and it just seemed so unfair when one can have a finish with this...................

 
The point is, the Monaco 70.3 is honestly one of the best events out there (other than the 10 flat km's on the bike).
Superbly organised, fantastic bike course, great location, excellent support.  The race pack itself is good (not as good as IM CH) but I was very happy.
You get a lot of bang for your buck and thankfully not a waft of a bacon roll.

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