Ironman: Cramp slows Brown in Europe

Cameron Brown, pictured here at last year's New Zealand Ironman. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

New Zealand champion Cameron Brown is pleased with his solid fourth placing in Ironman Europe triathlon in Germany yesterday.

Brown found himself cramping which prevented his trademark burst in the marathon, with young German Andreas Raelert producing a solo performance to win from race record holder Timo Bracht, 2007 world champion Chris McCormack and Brown.

Raelert decided on a brave move on the bike, opening up an 11-minute advantage over compatriot Bracht and 13 minutes on McCormack and Brown after the 180km journey.

While the chasers made inroads, the German was able to hold on to win in 8:05.15, five minutes clear of Bracht with a further four minutes to McCormack and four to Brown.

"The cramping was a bit of an issue and I got a slow leak on the bike for the last 60km so I worked a bit harder than I would have wanted," Brown said.

"But overall it was a really strong performance. I know I am in great shape and competitive now.

"It's been really hot here - over 35C - so I will check everything now and work out why I cramped because that's never happened before.

"With 10km to go I hit the wall, though, and it was lights out. I would not have got near Andreas today."

Fellow New Zealand champion Joanna Lawn was sixth after waiting 20 minutes on the roadside for assistance because of a broken bike spoke.

Lawn was six minutes down on the leader but well placed with the race favourites after the 3.8km swim. Australian-based Swiss Caroline Steffan, who Lawn battled at the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman in January, pushed clear on the bike.

The six-time Ironman New Zealand winner bided her time, working through the field to second place behind Steffan but the long delay for bike repairs effectively ended her challenge.

German Sandra Wallenhorst moved up behind Lawn and ran down Steffan on the run to win in 9:04.27. Lawn pushed too hard early on the run looking for a miracle but paid the price and had to turn off the after-burners over the closing 15km on the run for sixth placing.

- NZPA