Ironman: Top-notch pretenders to test King's mettle

Cameron Brown has been awarded No1 seeding for the King of Taupo race in March. Photo / Greg Bowker

No 1 seed for Taupo race, Cameron Brown, is chasing his 11th victory in this event

The King of Taupo, Cameron Brown, has beaten off many pretenders to his Ironman New Zealand crown, but faces arguably his toughest test yet as he chases an unprecedented 11th victory.

Brown has been awarded the No1 seeding for the 29th anniversary of the race on March 2 in Taupo. Not only has he won 10 times in Taupo, but he is also the only triathlete in the world to win the same ironman event 10 times.

However, the 40-year-old will have to beat a top field, including Kiwi hopefuls Terenzo Bozzone and Bevan Docherty as well as a bunch of well-performed internationals.

Brown, who will be racing his 15th Ironman New Zealand and chasing his 28th podium finish in a remarkable career, believes he has the same drive as ever to tackle the 3.8km swim 180km bike and 42.4km marathon run.

"I love ironman," he said.

"I'm still passionate about it and you have to be, otherwise it's too hard to get out there and train 35 to 40 hours a week. My passion and desire to win still drives me daily and it's my job at the moment so it's important to do well and put food on the table for the family.

"I have experience on the course, so I know what to eat and when to drink, and that is an advantage over someone who's coming into it for the first time."

Bozzone, a four-time junior world champion and the 2008 Ironman Wold Champion 70.3, has finished runner-up to Brown three times and been seeded No2.

After being knocked off his bike while training and missing last month's Ironman 70.3 Auckland, he has a different approach to Taupo.

"The recovery from the crash took a little longer than I was expecting," Bozzone said.

"I've taken the time to recover and I'm probably going into Taupo slightly fresher than I have in the past and hopefully that will pay dividends come the second half of the run.

"I think I have what it takes now. Ironman is all about experience and how you handle those bad patches and everybody is going to go through those bad patches. Whoever handles those bad patches the best is going to be victorious on the day."

The unknown quantity is No5 seed Docherty, a two-time Olympic medallist in his debut at the Ironman distance. He has enjoyed success in the ironman 70.3 distance - in his four starts he has won and come second at Panama, second at Auckland and third in the world championships last year - and he also has the advantage of racing in his hometown.

"I always wanted Taupo to be my first ironman, so it will be very special," Docherty said.

"I'm excited. I think it's going to be an awesome day and I have nothing to lose so I'm not nervous.

"The race has had such an impact on Taupo. I've watched it from near and far over the years.

"To be able to come home and start this part of my career in front of my family is fantastic.

"Ironman has always been on my bucket list. It's the cornerstone of our sport and really where it all started. It will be a learning curve.

"I've always been a racer so I need to learn about managing the speed and the intensity, especially in training. But it is something I am looking forward to."

Two-time Olympian Marko Albert (Estonia) is ranked No3 ahead of well-performed Australian Courtney Ogden, an ironman winner and seven times on the ironman podium.

The women's seeds will be announced next week.

Ironman seeds

Men's seeds for Ironman New Zealand in Taupo on March 2:

1. Cameron Brown (NZL, Auckland)
2. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL, North Harbour)
3. Marko Albert (Estonia)
4. Courtney Ogden (Australia)
5. Bevan Docherty (NZL, Taupo)
6. Scott DeFilippis (United States)
7. Keegan Williams (NZL, Cambridge)
8. Kevin Taddonio (United States)
9. James Bowstead (NZL, Auckland)
10. Ernst Moser (Austria)