Super biker Sebastian Kienle has been crowned this year’s Ironman World Championship on a punishingly hot and windy day in Hawaii, thanks to a dominant bike and run.


The USA’s Andy Potts led out of the swim, then his compatriot Andrew Starykowicz took over the lead on the bike. Jan Frodeno (GER) briefly led the group before suffering a flat tyre, and by the turnaround point at Hawi it was the turn of Kienle to lead.

The two-time 70.3 world champion, 30, kept pushing hard back down the Queen K highway and held a three-minute margin over second-placed Maik Twelsiek (GER) going into T2.

Despite occasionally showing signs of discomfort and fatigue on the run Kienle kept the pace up with 6:05/mile pace through the first three miles, and held good to take his first Kona win.

(Main image: Paul Phillips)


For the full race report head here