Germany’s Franz Loeschke just claimed the victory at Ironman 70.3 Dresden. With a finish time of 3:42:37 hours he managed to stay ahead of fellow Germans Jonas Hoffman (+1:19) and Leonard Arnold (+1:36), who took second and third respectively.
It was Britain’s Joshua Lewis who was first out after the shortened swim. France’s Anthony Costes was behind him in the lead of a chase group of eight. Loeschke just missed that group and therefor ran to his bike in 10th position (+0:33).
Once they hit the bike course, it didn’t take long before Loeschke moved up. Within 25 km he found a place in the leading group. In the final kilometers of the bike course, Loeschke and Germany’s Jesse Hinrichs broke free from the pack. Eventually Hinrichs was back in T2 in first position, while 24 seconds later Loeschke followed in second place.
On the half-marathon there was no touching Loeschke anymore. Running 1:15:15 hours, he was the first person to cross the finish line. Behind him Hoffman took second and Arnold – who came from far after the bike part – rounded the podium.
