Dylan McNeice has claimed third place in only his second half ironman, at Ironman 70.3 Singapore. Conditions were hot and humid for the athletes, with humidity raising the perceived temperature to close to 40 degrees towards the end of the race.
McNeice led out of the water with a narrow lead over Josh Amberger of Australia. The pair of swim specialists joined up with Denis Vasiliev of Russia and Australian Chris Kemp to form the lead pack on the bike, with a lead of more than two and half minutes over the chase pack.
Known as a swim specialist, McNeice was keen to put his bike training to the test and ensure he maintained his advantage from the swim.
"We had a good group and we were working well together, with everyone taking their turn. I've just signed with Giant Bicycles this year and this was my first race on a TT bike. My Giant Trinity Advanced was seriously insane and it certainly made a huge difference – we were moving pretty quick, going through the first 40km in 55mins."
By T2 the pack consisting of McNeice, Kemp, Amberger, and Vasiliev had built on their lead, stretching the gap out to 6mins over the chase pack of Ollie Whistler, Tim Marr, Guy Crawford and Allasandro Degasperi.
Kemp and Amberger charged out of transition, with McNeice around 20 seconds back after a slower transition.
"Towards the end of the bike I lost a gel bottle so heading on to the run I decided to risk a bit of time grabbing a handful of gels, but I managed to run myself back up into second behind Josh pretty quickly. He headed out of transition like it was an ITU race and I hoped he would fade, but he raced well and held his lead."
The heat began to take its toll, and Kemp slipped back in the field before dropping out of the race early in the run. Amberger appeared to handle the conditions well, never looking back as he ran in to take the win in 3:54:49.
McNeice battled with the hot conditions during the later stages of the run, but held on to finish third, with Vasiliev taking second place behind Josh Amberger.
"I'm very happy to come away with my first podium in my second attempt at the 70.3 distance and especially in conditions that I would not generally say suit someone coming from good old Christchurch weather! It was hot, with 100% humidity, and I felt every bit of it. Still everyone has to deal with that and congratulations to Josh for the win and Denis for 2nd."
McNeice will return to New Zealand for another training block before heading to the US to race the northern hemisphere summer.
Results: Ironman 70.3 Singapore
1. Josh Amberger – 3:54:49
2. Denis Vasiliev – 3:59:25
3. Dylan McNeice – 4:00:51
4. Alessandro Degasperi – 4:01:15
5. Nick Waninger – 4:05:12
