70.3 South Africa loads up on talent
The second 70.3 race of 2012 is about to go in South Africa. The field is said to be around the 2900 mark which is a staggering amount of people on one course at the same time but it seems to work and with 750 ranking points on offer the pros are circling.
The big guns are in South Africa too if you believe the start lists which in the past have been great works of fiction. Marino Vanhoennacker and Raynard Tissink are on the list as starters and both bring with them a wealth of big race experience. For Vanhoenacker it is the start of another climb to the top and Raynard is coming with him. Both are supreme with their preparation and a tough course will suit these hard men. But these two are the tip of a heavy iceberg. Add to those two Ronnie Schildknect who is speed personified, South African gun James Cunnama and Balazs Csoke and the pointy end of this field is talent laden.
The women's event features a solid raft of pros headlined by Tine Deckers, Lucie Zelenkova and Jodie Swallow. Heleen Bij De Vaate will also be a factor on race day.
Trying to predict the early season form of any of these athletes is tough but a win in January is just as good as a win in July and with a challeneging course the race should be a good one and keep the atheltes honest. Anything could happen. Normally we would take a shot at picking the winner but we might defer to the better side of caution and let these guys and girls just duke it out.
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