IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai showcased some of Europe’s top professional triathletes as they battled it out for a podium spot. Burj Al Arab, the iconic seven-star hotel, hosted the sixth edition of the race today (March 12, 2021). This was the first race to take place this year on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit.
The fast flat course saw Imogen Simmonds return to defend her title, while a new champion was crowned in the men’s category. In the end, the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 season opener saw Daniel Bakkegard (DEN) and Daniela Ryf (SUI) claim top podium spots, winning the men’s and women’s races respectively.
Bakkegard putting in a solid run coming from behind to finish in 03:33:02, while Ryf held off defending champion, Imogen Simmonds, to finish in 03:56:54 to cap off a successful day of racing.
Alongside a strong professional field, close to 1400 age-group athletes raced under IRONMAN Safe Return to Racing protocols. Athletes took on a one-loop 1.9km swim course against the backdrop of the world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel.
The one-loop 90 km bike course led the athletes through the city before venturing out into the desert. Lastly, they took on a one and a half-loop 21.1 km run course which started at Jumeirah Public Beach and leds athletes along the coastline.
At the pre-race press conference, Imogen Simmonds said, “My last race was 13 months ago, here in the amazing Dubai. It has been a year with a handbrake up, everything was brought to a halt. Personally, I have gone through a few changes during this time, from being injured to moving back home to another continent and changing coaches.
“However, I am very excited about racing again. I might not be in top form, but I do not really care. I feel like Daniela [Ryf] is on pretty good form, knowing her; but it will be fun to get out there. It is a privilege to be here. Even though 38-degree heat has been predicted, we’ve just got to remember that we are lucky to be doing what we love and keep smiling even though it may be hard at some points.”
Addressing the global lockdown the athletes had endured, five time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, Daniela Ryf said “Suddenly we were in a lockdown and we had to deal with what we have and what we could do at home. For me, this consisted of a few days swimming in a bathtub, so I am interested to see what I can do.
“I also built an endless pool so that I could keep fit and training, as I didn’t know when the next race was going to be… but I’m happy I took it day by day, and here we are a year later; and I am happy that I was able to do some things that I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to do if this past year didn’t happen.”
The pro men start was at 06:30 local time (03:30 CET). Pro women started at 06:33am local time (03:33 CET) and age group athletes started at 06:40 local time (03:40 CET).
