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2013 Boulder 70.3 - Race Day

 Aug 5, 2013 article & images by Nick Salazar

Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
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The 2013 edition of the Boulder 70.3 race would be the last one in which the longest distance in this series was a half Ironman. Next year, the full-distance Ironman Boulder will supplant this venerable event as the ultimate test for Colorado triathletes. And this year's race didn't disappoint. Defending champ Joe Gambles played the race like a fiddle, storming to yet another decisive victory. On the women's side, a shuffle of places throughout the day saw Melissa Hauschildt win the day, with Leanda Cave digging deep for second, just barely edging out Amanda Stevens who came in third, a mere thirty seconds behind the current Kona champ. Here's our supersized gallery of race-day images, complete with some of the beautiful scenery from the Boulder countryside.



Tags » boulder703,  gregbennett,  jimseear,  joegambles,  leandacave,  melissahauschildt,  michaellovato,  rigs,  supersized

Joe Gambles 

  • Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
  • Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
  • Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
  • Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.
  • Defending champ Joe Gambles won the day on his Trek Speed Concept. Interestingly, Trek doesn't yet have him riding the new version of their flagship tri bike, but I'm sure he'll be on it soon enough.

Melissa Hauschildt 

  • Melissa Hauschildt put together a great race aboard her Specialized Shiv. She conserved energy on the bike, only taking the lead towards the latter half of the course. Then she held strong on the run, keeping daylight between her and the battle for second/third.
  • Melissa Hauschildt put together a great race aboard her Specialized Shiv. She conserved energy on the bike, only taking the lead towards the latter half of the course. Then she held strong on the run, keeping daylight between her and the battle for second/third.
  • Melissa Hauschildt put together a great race aboard her Specialized Shiv. She conserved energy on the bike, only taking the lead towards the latter half of the course. Then she held strong on the run, keeping daylight between her and the battle for second/third.
  • Melissa Hauschildt put together a great race aboard her Specialized Shiv. She conserved energy on the bike, only taking the lead towards the latter half of the course. Then she held strong on the run, keeping daylight between her and the battle for second/third.

James Seear 

  • James Saeer aboard his custom-painted Blue Triad SL, with a TriRig Omega up front. James led virtually the entire bike course, but got caught on the run and faded to 11th place.
  • James Saeer aboard his custom-painted Blue Triad SL, with a TriRig Omega up front. James led virtually the entire bike course, but got caught on the run and faded to 11th place.
  • James Saeer aboard his custom-painted Blue Triad SL, with a TriRig Omega up front. James led virtually the entire bike course, but got caught on the run and faded to 11th place.
  • James Saeer aboard his custom-painted Blue Triad SL, with a TriRig Omega up front. James led virtually the entire bike course, but got caught on the run and faded to 11th place.
  • James Saeer aboard his custom-painted Blue Triad SL, with a TriRig Omega up front. James led virtually the entire bike course, but got caught on the run and faded to 11th place.

Leanda Cave 

  • 2012 Kona Champ Leanda Cave started strong, actually looking great aboard her Canyon Concept Speedmax (whose name AND features seem like something of a clone of the Trek Speed Concept). She faded from the lead, but held on for second place. But her bike is well-appointed, looking very clean and much more aero than her previous ride, the not-so-pretty Pinarello Graal.
  • 2012 Kona Champ Leanda Cave started strong, actually looking great aboard her Canyon Concept Speedmax (whose name AND features seem like something of a clone of the Trek Speed Concept). She faded from the lead, but held on for second place. But her bike is well-appointed, looking very clean and much more aero than her previous ride, the not-so-pretty Pinarello Graal
  • 2012 Kona Champ Leanda Cave started strong, actually looking great aboard her Canyon Concept Speedmax (whose name AND features seem like something of a clone of the Trek Speed Concept). She faded from the lead, but held on for second place. But her bike is well-appointed, looking very clean and much more aero than her previous ride, the not-so-pretty Pinarello Graal
  • 2012 Kona Champ Leanda Cave started strong, actually looking great aboard her Canyon Concept Speedmax (whose name AND features seem like something of a clone of the Trek Speed Concept). She faded from the lead, but held on for second place. But her bike is well-appointed, looking very clean and much more aero than her previous ride, the not-so-pretty Pinarello Graal

Amanda Stevens 

  • Stevens is riding a custom-painted Blue Triad SL. She battled hard and hung on for third place.
  • Stevens is riding a custom-painted Blue Triad SL. She battled hard and hung on for third place.
  • Stevens is riding a custom-painted Blue Triad SL. She battled hard and hung on for third place.

Greg Bennett 

  • Greg ALWAYS looks like a champ on his BMC TM01. His position is great, and so are his legs. He took second behind Gambles. I really love this shot of him.
  • Greg Bennett aboard his BMC TM01.
  • Greg Bennett aboard his BMC TM01.
  • Greg Bennett aboard his BMC TM01.

Michael Lovato 

  • Michael Lovato on his custom-painted Kestrel 4000 SL. He's now riding the Zipp Vuka Stealth bar up front. Michael hung on for eithth place.
  • Michael Lovato on his custom-painted Kestrel 4000 SL. He's now riding the Zipp Vuka Stealth bar up front. Michael hung on for eithth place.
  • Michael Lovato on his custom-painted Kestrel 4000 SL. He's now riding the Zipp Vuka Stealth bar up front. Michael hung on for eithth place.
  • Michael Lovato on his custom-painted Kestrel 4000 SL. He's now riding the Zipp Vuka Stealth bar up front. Michael hung on for eithth place.
  • Michael Lovato on his custom-painted Kestrel 4000 SL. He's now riding the Zipp Vuka Stealth bar up front. Michael hung on for eithth place.

Ben Hoffman 

  • Ben Hoffman looking very good on his Specialized Shiv. Ben put together a solid race and took seventh on the day.
  • Ben Hoffman looking very good on his Specialized Shiv. Ben put together a solid race and took seventh on the day.
  • Ben Hoffman looking very good on his Specialized Shiv. Ben put together a solid race and took seventh on the day.
  • Ben Hoffman looking very good on his Specialized Shiv. Ben put together a solid race and took seventh on the day.

Misc. 

  • Paul Ambrose on his Bianchi.
  • Callum Millward rounded out the podium in third, but we rarely got a shot of him as he was usually nestled deep within a pack of riders.
  • Mark Bowstead aboard his Cannondale RS. It's a weird bike, and a weird position, in my opinion. But Mark Bowstead is still one fast cookie, so who am I to criticize? On the other hand, he could be fastER, and I'm sure he'd like to improve on that 14th-place finish. In my opinion, he looks quite squashed in his hip angle, which could be alleviated either by coming forward, or bringing the front end up.
  • Mark Bowstead on his Cannondale Slice.
  • Bryan Rhodes on his Cervelo P5.
  • Bryan Rhodes on his Cervelo P5.
  • Chris Lieferman on an original Cannondale Slice.
  • Chris Lieferman saying hello to us. Hi Chris!

Scenery 

  • Nestled up against the Flatiron Mountains, Boulder is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the State of Colorado.
  • Some of the scenery is way down low on the ground ...
  • ... some of the scenery requires you to look up.
  • This hawk came right up close, perching on a telephone pole right next to where we were posted. We shot this while waiting for the hurricane of athletes to come by.
  • These are just some of the things the athletes get to look at during their 56-mile ride around the country. The weather was perfect.
  • Just another day at the office for yours truly.
  • A few hot air balloons out for a ride.
  • Some pretty rows out in the country.
  • Even an ultralight glider or two can be spotted if you're watchful.
  • Just some more scenic shots of Boulder. It's always a pleasure to shoot here.

Related Articles
As usual, the Boulder 70.3 transition area was filled to the brim with some of the most beautiful triathlon equipment around. Have a look.
Here's a very detailed look at some of the best pro rigs we saw at Ironman 70.3 Boulder
It was a long, hot day in the Nevada desert, full of exciting racing and an upset of the established order. New winners were crowned in Sebastian Kienle and Leanda Cave. Check out our supersized gallery.
Some quiet words with Joe Gambles about his decision to come to TriRig and ride the Omni. Enjoy!
Last month, we teased that the multiple-time champ would be riding our bike. Here now, we present his race rig.