Par: Penel Arnaud
Anderson / Vernay, mutual respect
Photo par ASI Photo
texte plus grand
texte plus petitThe Ironman Australia will this weekend show a very high quality in the men field with a tray full of stars, as it has ever been allowed to see on the island continent. But also the presence of a double Ironman World Champion, is the duel Anderson / Vernay that will attract all eyes. We have assembled an exclusive two men, just days before the start...
To Mitch: Hi Mitch, and thank you for
giving us a little of your time before this particularly race for
you. You have indeed been the victim of a bicycle accident 10 days ago and emergency
surgery under general anesthesia. How are you?
Mitch Anderson: Ha! Yes, it has been a bit of
an ordeal! I had to take some evasive action and ended up using
my face as a brake, which I can’t suggest to anyone else to do! I
required some scrubbing and stitching of my face in theatre, but
as a result, I have really improved quickly. I’m only 90% as
pretty as I used to be…! I want to take the opportunity to thank
my major sponsor Giant- they had me back on a new bike within 5
days of my accident.
To Mitch: Do you think, as you said a few days ago, to be
100% of your capacity for Ironman Australia which takes place
next week?
Mitch Anderson: I think I am nearly back to
my full capacity- but I changed my preparation as a result of
this accident. I have delayed my taper and done more volume up
until the weekend just gone, so it will be interesting to see if
I have made enough gains to win in Port MacQuarie. I have not
raced since IM Japan last year, after suffering a calf injury, so
it will be good to see my level of fitness. I really hope to
excel later in this year for Kona.
To Pat: Hello Patrick. How did you react when you know the
accident of Mitch?
Patrick Vernay: We all fear to fall or be
reversed with training. We think it can not happen but when it
affects someone you know, we realize that is immune to anything.
When I saw the photo of Mitch after his speech I thought he was
very lucky and it could have happened to me.
To Pat: The optimist Mitch seems indestructible. Do you think
this can help you to challenge your way to the end?
Patrick Vernay: Mitch is a great champion. He
always smiles and it's always a pleasure to meet him. He has been
unlucky these last six months. He has experienced problems that
prevented him to finish Hawaii last year and now he is again
injured. At least that's what I thought until I learned he starts
anyway. Here I must admit that I thought "he is crazy."
But I do not think he will be 100% and I think it's
primarily to honor the promise he had made following the death
of his friend that he will start. Two hours under anesthesia,
it must still you fall a little but with Mitch we can always
expect something huge, so we'll see.
To Mitch: Patrick Vernay, who won two years in a row in
2007 and 2008 looks as the favorite for the race. What do you
think of him and his qualities?
Mitch Anderson: For starters, it seems as
though Patrick is the perfect predator. He barely seems to have
a weakness- he watched his prey for years in Australia while he
was perfecting his swim/bike/run…and now it just seems like he
has Australian IM in a death roll! Winning again and again
here. That said, he also a very generous person- he dropped me
a line to make sure I was ok after my accident last week. So
it’s formidable to come up against Patrick, but I’m not
overwhelmed. I hope Patrick has his best day next
Sunday.
To Pat: Your training at the beginning of the season was
somewhat chaotic; do you think to be able to win for a
triple?
Patrick Vernay: Tim Deboom will be the man
to beat. Two-time winner in Hawaii that sums it all and I think
further explanation would be nothing. It is certain that I will
not be as ready as I was for Roth and Hawaii but I am starting
to win and not to make the figuration even if the names
appearing on the list will start giving me yarn
twisting.
To Mitch and Pat: You will not be alone gentlemen,
because the competition is great! Tim Berkel after his victory
in Busselton in December, Tim Boom for his return at the
highest level, Mathias Hecht and his eighth place in Hawaii,
Pete Jacobs and his recent title of Australian Champion LD, or
the veteran Jason Shortis ( 40 next year) ... many pretenders
to the title which will be pleased to stand in the way! What do
you think of this list of stars?
Mitch Anderson: I think it’s going to be
the most difficult race in Australia for many years. Not since
Peter Reid came to IM Australia 7 years ago have we had an
Ironman world champion race in Australia. DeBoom would
have had a hard time getting the necessary condition in the
northern hemisphere for this race, but a two time world
champion should never be discredited. I think this will Jason’s
last shot at the title he yearns for so badly, so I hope he can
fulfill his ambitions if I don’t have my best day. If I were a
betting an, he would have my money. I think it is still too
soon to expect Tim Berkel to become a champion on a course like
this- he is much better suited to a less hilly bike
course.
Patrick Vernay: I think it is the best start list
since three years in Port Macquarie. The names you just
mentioned are all candidates to victory. This will be a great
race and the opportunity for me to further enrich my personal
experience. I would like to confirm my qualification for
Hawaii. The rest will be bonus even if tripled would allow me
to strike hard at the beginning of the year and put me well and
with confidence for the future.
Gentlemen thank you for this interview at
short notice, a few days before one of the most important race
of your season!
Patrick Vernay: Always a pleasure to
serve Xtriathlon and talk about our wonderful
discipline.
Mitch Anderson: A big hello to all of France…
I hope to see you all soon.
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