Ironman Germany's clash of the titans
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Ironman Germany is a race that for years has had to compete with the Quelle Roth Challenge and a whole raft of other European races. This weekend sees a clash of the titans of sorts as some of the world's best talent go head to head in what is surely going to be a preview of Kona 2008. The field boasts two current World Champions, two previous world champions and plenty of those who have been at the pointy end of some of the biggest races in the world. But it will be more about the psychological edge that can be taken into Kona than another Ironman race.
Hamburg's final countdown
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  One year after hosting the Triathlon World Championships, Hamburg once again welcomes the world’s best as the northern German city hosts the eighth stop of the 2008 BG Triathlon World Cup series. The race schedule will be slightly different as the women and men will compete on separate days. This will be one of the last tune ups before the athletes shut down and do their final preparation and taper for the Olympic Games. Australia's Brad Kahlefeldt also makes return to the ITU circuit.
Rating the Aussies in the Tour
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The build up to the '08 Tour de France is bog for those Australian riders. The Aussie presence at the lap around France is now a constant and with Cadel Evans leading the charge there is a renewed interest in this race by the Australian public outside those in the know. The numbers peaked to nine some seasons ago. This year's class of '08 though might just have a bit more to offer. We have been talking about the Australian's on Tour here at firstoffthebike.com and thought we would rate them going into the July 5th start in Brest.
The late mail on Tour de France '08
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 The Tour de France is an essay in the quick and the dead. On the 5th of July, the world will see some of the fastest cyclists on the planet assemble to see who'll stand victorious and who'll be leaving empty-handed. This Tour promises another 21 days of intense battle. Here we take a look at all three jerseys, the rivals vying for them and who to watch as cycling's next superstar with Matt Keenan, cycling expert for both SBS and the ASO.
Aussie wins showdown in Texas
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Texas is known for many cool things and people. The Longhorns are a much loved football team and Lance Armstrong of course flew the Texas flag on his bike and helmet for years. This week Texas played host the 70.3 circus with some predictable results. Buffalo Springs has a history of great Australian performances and this weekend was no exception. Buffalo Springs 70.3 is known for high temperatures and high winds making this a challenge for anyone who signs up to race. This year conditions allowed a fast start and even quicker finish.
Buffalo Springs 70.3 preview
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Buffalo Springs has long been a place where Australians have excelled and this weekend's jaunt to Texas for the 70.3 race should be no exception. A couple of Australia's brightest stars will be on hand to see how their form measures us with the locals. Rumour has it Luke Bell will be out there to try and repeat his winning performances on the 70.3 circuit. Luke's form is coming and the Australian is trying to run himself into form. As an old cycling buddy once said, "you can afford not to train, you can't afford not to race."
Observations from the Tour de Suisse
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The Tour de Suisse like the Dauphine Libere is one of the key lead up races to the Tour de France. We have been going on about how important a good preparation is and, like the famed Dauphine with its' climbs and hard racing the Tour de Suisse is also full of that. This race acts as both a form finder and a last chance for riders to convince their teams to take them on the lap of France. Like every Pro Tour race the racing is full gas from the gun and we took a look at the Tour de Suisse to see what could be taken from the last big pre Tour event.
Great Dane cashes in at Des Moines
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Now I know we have written a bit about this race but with one of the biggest paydays in the sport Des Moines is certainly a bright light on the ITU calender. This year saw both men's and women's races putting up $200,000 US for the win. The U.S Olympic team was also being decided and in the men's event it was a race to be across the line first.
Aussie girls have a great day out in Des Moines
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The Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon World Cup in Des Moines is one attractive race, though after a week of biblical-styled rainstorms, the race could have seemed less so. After a change of venue, the race went on and in a very competitive environment with U.S Olympic selection on the line, Emma Snowsill was left standing as the winner. The race attracts many of the big names due to the whopping $200,000 on offer for first place. The Australian Women's Olympic Team was there and left with a fantastic result.
McKenzie leads charge in Japan - our 3 IM wrap-up
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Luke McKenzie has certainly done the business this weekend in an action packed three days of Ironman racing. This weekend was full of exciting racing across three continents. From former polka dot jersey winners of the Tour de France, to a man on a mission to win his first Ironman and a wrong turn mid race this weekend seemed to have it all.
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