For this 4th edition of Monaco Ironman 70.3, thirty athletes from Monaco will be present on the Start Line. Some are natives of Monaco, some live in the Principality and others are from clubs in Monaco. They will compete at home and will be supported by their home crowd who will help them to realize performances as high as their expectations.
Among the 1100 participants in the Monaco Ironman 70.3, thirty Monaco athletes have signed up for this 2008 edition. Two women and 28 men have a link with the Principality and will be on the starting line to begin the 1.9km of swimming, 90km of cycling and 21.1km of running.
The oldest of these participants is Pierre Beccamel, a 69-year-old and member of AS Monaco. Cédric Amand, a 27-year-old professional triathlete, is the youngest and will be a part of Monaco’s hope for a podium finish. Beside him, Hervé Banti, the second professional, aims at a top 5 place and at a qualification in Hawaii: "Competing at home is a little easier because you can become familiar with the various routes of the race and soak in the atmosphere, but on the other hand it adds a little more pressure because your performance (or disappointing performance!) will be brought to light in the media!".
Twenty four of these Monaco athletes are usual people. And the six remainders? They are "Rookies" in Ironman terminology. They will participate in their first Ironman and will certainly create a lifelong memory of such a unique experience.
"To make our departure next to the professionals, to see them competing on the same route and crossing them (or rather being pasted) by them on the run really transcends us ", tells Roman Viale, 35-year-old and amateur member of AS Monaco. His objective is to finish among the five best triathletes in his club. The Monaco athletes are happy to have the Ironman on their doorstep, as explains it Hervé Banti: "the fact that the race takes place in a landscape as magic as the Principality makes us return to this race and participate yearly."
To complete this beautiful picture of the Principality, you should not forget the teams who have registered for the Relay Challenge. Of the 40 teams seventeen are from Monaco. They will represent companies such as the HSBC Bank, the Carabiniers du Prince, the CCM or the Fire Brigades.
Good luck to all the athletes from Monaco and remember the place to be on Sunday, 7 September at 7h00 is the Plage du Larvotto where you can support 30 triathletes from the Principality and 1070 athletes come from other regions of the world!
Photo: ©CFiant
Competitors list
Monaco Ironman 70.3
7 September 2008
1.9km SWIM | 90km BIKE | 21.1km RUN
30 qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship on 10 October 2009 Hawaii
50 qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on 9 November 2008 Florida
Athletes representing 40 nations
9 hours and more of show & sports on race day
3 days of triathlon on the Esplanade du Larvotto
www.monaco-ironman.com
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