Solid 3rd place at 70.3 Ironman Lanzarote.
Kenneth: “The Club La Santa 70.3 Ironman was from the beginning of the year my main goal. Last year I finished 2nd, so this year I strived for another spot on the podium. Due to my victory at the 70.3 Ironman Luxembourg I no longer felt the pressure that I had to win a 70.3 Ironman this year. However, I always race hard to achieve the best position possible.”
The week before the race, the final start list was published. The PRO field was extremely competitive with many athletes already previous winners of both 70.3 races and Ironmans. This field was equally impressive as the World Championships 70.3 Ironman were the week after the race in Lanzarote.
Although Kenneth had qualified for the World Champs, both he and his coach had not planned for this race, next year he will make his appearance on the big scene in South-Africa.
Although Kenneth had qualified for the World Champs, both he and his coach had not planned for this race, next year he will make his appearance on the big scene in South-Africa.
Just after sunrise the race started at 7.30 in the Laguna of Club La Santa. Unlike last year the race required a wetsuit swim for the Pros.
Kenneth: ”I prefer to swim without a wetsuit.. Why? Because I feel more comfortable without so I can utilise my strong leg kick…”
After the 1.9K swim, Kenneth was 15th out of the water, 3’30” behind team mate Martijn Dekker, who was in the lead group, and 3’ from the main competitors.
Kenneth: “I was relieved that I only lost 3’30” on my swim, however I narrowly missed the chasing group after the start and had to swim the 1.9K alone. I took this as a challenge knowing that my best disciplines were still to come.”
On the bike Kenneth made his way through the PRO field, and at 60K he came into an impressive 4th position. His goal was to chase down the lead trio, but they were still at 3’30” ahead.
Kenneth: ”I had a really good feeling on my training roads in Lanzarote, I pushed really good watts and actually I was surprised that I couldn't get any closer to the lead group. They had a good cooperation and that’s a big advantage in the windy Lanzarote. Due to this I even lost 1’30” more in the last 30K.”
Time check at transition proved how fast the athletes were on the bike, an impressive bike split from Kenneth meant that the athlete in 5th place was 4' behind Kenneth.
Kenneth: ”I prefer to swim without a wetsuit.. Why? Because I feel more comfortable without so I can utilise my strong leg kick…”
After the 1.9K swim, Kenneth was 15th out of the water, 3’30” behind team mate Martijn Dekker, who was in the lead group, and 3’ from the main competitors.
Kenneth: “I was relieved that I only lost 3’30” on my swim, however I narrowly missed the chasing group after the start and had to swim the 1.9K alone. I took this as a challenge knowing that my best disciplines were still to come.”
On the bike Kenneth made his way through the PRO field, and at 60K he came into an impressive 4th position. His goal was to chase down the lead trio, but they were still at 3’30” ahead.
Kenneth: ”I had a really good feeling on my training roads in Lanzarote, I pushed really good watts and actually I was surprised that I couldn't get any closer to the lead group. They had a good cooperation and that’s a big advantage in the windy Lanzarote. Due to this I even lost 1’30” more in the last 30K.”
Time check at transition proved how fast the athletes were on the bike, an impressive bike split from Kenneth meant that the athlete in 5th place was 4' behind Kenneth.
Kenneth: “I know that the run in Lanzarote can be really hard, even if the course doesn’t look that difficult, it can test you at every moment. Due to this I still had some hope that one of the guys in the front would struggle. The first 7K I could close 1’ on them, but in the next K's I couldn’t close the gap. Unfortunately stomach problems meant that, I decided to secure my 4th place in the race whilst using as little energy possible with the goal of my next race 70.3 Ironman Weymouth in the back of my mind.”
Kenneth placed overall in 4th position. However, German athlete, Markus Rolli received a disqualification during the bike section of the race, due to crossing the white line in the descend to Caleta de Cabajo. As a result Kenneth achieved his podium spot.
South-African James Cunnama achieved an impressive win, followed in 2nd place by Spanish athlete, Emilio Aguayo Munoz.
Kenneth: ” Every athlete would have loved to win the race but with a tough field of PROS I am satisfied with my final position. My 3rd place has allowed me to gain points toward the Ironman WC rankings for next year. On reflection of the race I had a good swim and a fast bike on this course. Looking ahead to my next race I will re-evaluate my nutrition strategies ready for my race in Weymouth. The focus is now on for my final race of the 2017 season; the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth on the 17th September. If I finish in a good position I can look back on a solid season and a good position in the 70.3 Ironman WC ranking for next year. “
South-African James Cunnama achieved an impressive win, followed in 2nd place by Spanish athlete, Emilio Aguayo Munoz.
Kenneth: ” Every athlete would have loved to win the race but with a tough field of PROS I am satisfied with my final position. My 3rd place has allowed me to gain points toward the Ironman WC rankings for next year. On reflection of the race I had a good swim and a fast bike on this course. Looking ahead to my next race I will re-evaluate my nutrition strategies ready for my race in Weymouth. The focus is now on for my final race of the 2017 season; the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth on the 17th September. If I finish in a good position I can look back on a solid season and a good position in the 70.3 Ironman WC ranking for next year. “
Victory at Ocean Lava Lanzarote!
The Ocean Lava triathlon on the olympic distance was the perfect race on the perfect moment for Kenneth. 3 weeks after his victory in Bruges and 3 weeks before his next race, the BC 1/2 triathlon in Eupen, it was the perfect time to test his shape. Especially if you know this race came in the middle of a training camp of a month at Lanzarote.
Kenneth Vandendriessche: " Normally the days before races are easy, but this time times were different. The race was a "training" race and I had one job. Ride as fast as possible on the bike. Just push the watts..."
"I got a pretty good feeling after the swim, but once I left the sea, I got to know that I lost 3 minutes, 1 minute more then I hoped... After the race the swim seemed to be 1900m instead of 1500m, so that made sense... Like my coach Luc Van Lierde gave me the orders before, I pushed hard on the bike. The first 20K was climbing against the wind. At the turning point I came in first position and on the way back to Arrecife I could make the gap to 1 minute."
Once out of the transition zone I tried to control the race in the run, but Ricardo Hernandez, a triathlete from the ETU en ITU circuit had other plans... After 5K he came at 20 seconds, but then he had to admit that I was the best that day and came second at 2'34'".
That means that I won the last 3 races that I did, next race is the BC 1/2 triathlon at Eupen.
Until next..
K.VDD
Until next..
K.VDD
Kenneth wins the 1/4 triathlon of Bruges!
3athlon.be: "Kenneth Vandendriessche is in the shape of his life. A week after his first 70.3 Ironman win in Luxemburg , won the West Flemish guy also this weekend the prestigious 1/4 triathlon of Bruges. Title defender Stenn Goetstouwers, who was even faster than Vandendriessche last year, had to recognise that Vandendriessche was the better one of the two.
Kenneth Vandendriessche: " A week after the 70.3 Ironman Luxemburg and my win there, I knew that I was in a great shape. Recover from that race was the most important thing during the week. But that wasn't as easy as expected.. "
"Before the race, it started raining and due to this I decided to avoid risks, because I didn't want to ruin the rest of the season..."
"Actually I had a pretty good swim start, I could follow easily, but at the end of the swim I dropped from the group due to a hit. With a bad transition included, I lost 2'05" on the leaders. Luckily, I had a lot of confidence on my bike and running after the 70.3 Ironman Luxemburg. I gained a lot of time on the straight roads along the canal Bruges-Ostend. After 8KM I reduced already 30" from their lead. Just before halfway, I could close the gap with the first chase group on the 2 leaders. With 10KM to go, I closed the gap with the leader, Stenn Goetstouwers."
During the last 10KM run, I could decide the pace after 500M and could make a gap with Stenn. 9KM later I won finally the prestigious Triathlon of Bruges!
It was a great week, I admit that I needed it after the bad luck in the beginning of the season.
Next race is the Ocean Lava Lanzarote 1/4 triathlon, in preparation for the Belgian Champs 1/2 triathlon in Eupen, where I hope to defend my Belgian title.
Regards,
K.VDD
It was a great week, I admit that I needed it after the bad luck in the beginning of the season.
Next race is the Ocean Lava Lanzarote 1/4 triathlon, in preparation for the Belgian Champs 1/2 triathlon in Eupen, where I hope to defend my Belgian title.
Regards,
K.VDD
Kenneth Vandendriessche wins Ironman 70.3 Luxemburg!
Kenneth Vandendriessche's first big goal of the season was the 70.3 Ironman in Luxemburg on the 18th June. After his crash in Cannes on the 16th April, Kenneth suffered from a tear in his muscle, however he worked hard to overcome this during his rehab at Club La Santa, Lanzarote. Following on from his injury Kenneth competed at Challenge Salou where he finished in a strong 6th place. It was an incredibly fast race and proved that the rehab had been successful although the conditioning needed a final finetuning at the last training camp before his next race.
Kenneth Vandendriessche: "The last weeks, especially after Challenge Salou, I felt very strong both mentally and physically. So strong I have never felt so good on the bike and the run. The Island of Lanzarote doesn't lie. Although swimming is my weakest discipline it has shown some improvement and I will continue to work on it in the future.."
"Before the race we were told it would be a non wetsuit race. A lot of people thought this would be a disadvantage for me, but actually I have raced well without wetsuit in the past. That gave me a lot of confidence before the race. After the start shot I had some difficulties to get in my rhythm and lost the feeling with the big group. Like usual I had to chase, but actually I hoped to leave the water closer to the big group. 5'30" on ex-olympian open water swimmer Lukasz Wojt and 3' on the big chase group with my main competitors."
After the swim my race could finally start. After the turning point at 20KM I could see the damage and saw that I crept closer to the leading group. After 70KM I caught the big group and decided to stay on my own pace and try to recover a bit on the way to the transition zone. I entered transition in 3rd place, 3'50" behind the leader of the race. Immediately I decided to run a high tempo, because I still believed that I could win. Really fast I was in 2nd position and at the turning point after 2,5KM I closed already 1"15". After 8KM I took the lead and decided to adapt my tempo to the chase group. That gap was approximately 1 minute. Bas Diederen tried to close the gap at the end, but only managed to be 45" behind
My first victory at 70.3 Ironman is a fact. A moment that I dreamed about when I started triathlon. The timing of this win came immediately after my injury and emotionally heavy weeks, with the death of a good friend of the family makes it even more beautiful.
It's a race that I will never forget, and one that will push me to gain more succes in Ironman.
To be continued...
Now on Saturday it's the 1/4 triathlon of Bruges. Hopefully I'm 100% recovered.
Regards,
K.VDD
It's a race that I will never forget, and one that will push me to gain more succes in Ironman.
To be continued...
Now on Saturday it's the 1/4 triathlon of Bruges. Hopefully I'm 100% recovered.
Regards,
K.VDD
A blessing in disguise at the Cannes International Triathlon...
Kenneth Vandendriessche had his first race in the new colours of the ITZU Tri Team at the Cannes International Triathlon on Eastern.
Kenneth Vandendriessche: " I really had the perfect preparation towards the race season. I didn't had any problem at all... All the tests and results on trainings were perfect. One of the reasons I would start in Cannes was because of the high level of international athletes. In that way I could see at what level I'm already.
I never had a swim like in Cannes. It was chaotic! The PRO athletes were at the front of the start, but when I entered the water and tried to swim, the age-groupers were already before me. At that point I lost a lot of value seconds, but because I knew the bike was hard enough, I stayed calm and tried to limit the damage.
So when we started the first climb of the day, Coll du Tanneron, after 15K, I tried to reduce the gap with the group in front of me. Just before the top I passed them and I was in 10th position at 28KM, the other Belgian Bart Aernouts was just in front of me. They told me at the PRO briefing the descent of the Coll du Tanneron was the only descent they could guarantee without traffic. But after the second corner, an old guy went up with his car. I was surprised and had to take another line in the descent, so I had to put a lot of force on my brakes. Due to that my rear wheel blocked and I made a little jump, I lost the control of my handlebars and hit the wall in the next turn. I even made a salto with my bike, when I touched the ground I was still in my pedals... At the first moment I thought, I had broken something due to the impact of the crash. Luckily I had no fractures at all! I tried to restart racing, but had a strange feeling above my right knee in my quadriceps. 10K later my race was over and out..
In the meanwhile we know more about the pain in the muscle above my knee. During the echo they saw I have a tear in my right quadricep of 3.4CM. The rehab of this injury is now the most important thing. I don't know yet, when I will be back for racing, but I couldn't be better surrounded to do my rehabilitation with Osteo43 and all the facilities in Club La Santa, Lanzarote!
I will come back stronger!
See ya at another race!
K.VDD
I will come back stronger!
See ya at another race!
K.VDD
ITZU Triathlon Team
Since 2017 I'm part of the professional triathlon team ITZU Tri Team. Below you can find the press release.
The ITZU Tri Team, a new professional triathlon team under the leadership of Luc Van Lierde
The Itzu Tri Team offers four promising athletes the chance to start the 2017 season under the expert leadership of the double winner of the Ironman Hawaii, Luc Van Lierde, providing them with the opportunity to advance to the international level of excellence of elite athletes. Actor and TV personality Louis Talpe will be the team’s godfather.
The beginnings of the teamThe Itzu Tri Team is the result of a cooperation between Luc Van Lierde, the long-distance triathlon legend, and Koen Janssen, managing director of the Itzu holding. With their shared passion for the sport, their ambition was to set up a new professional international triathlon team. In 2016, Van Lierde and Janssen began the preparations for the Itzu Tri Team. On 18 January 2017, the team was officially introduced to the press.
Koen Janssen, managing director of Itzu nv, a Limburg holding company that incorporates four service companies, explains why he is taking on the role of team manager. “In common with our Itzu group, this new team has the potential to evolve. Together with Itzu and the other sponsors, we will make every effort over the coming years to make this project a success. Triathlon is about endurance, character, the perfect balance between body and spirit. An obvious match with the values and vision that Itzu and our 1,200 employees hold dear,” says the Limburger managing director.
Support from leading partnersNaturally, this project would not have been possible without the cooperation of several prestigious partners, each exceptional in their own industry. They are giving their support and equipment to the professional structure of the Itzu Tri Team, enabling the athletes the opportunity to realize their ambitions. The Itzu Tri Team can count on the support of the following partners: Itzu, Bioracer, Endless Pools, Chaintec, Ridley, CEP, Lazer Helmets, Shimano, FFWD, Contigo, Hiddit, Hands, Stadsbader, Foederer, ECS, Zone 3, Delen Private Bank and Scio Productions.
Team ambitionsNaturally, the athletes, management and the sponsors have high ambitions resulting from the guidance and advice of Luc Van Lierde, twice voted Belgian Sportsman of the Year. Luc Van Lierde did not hesitate when the plans for setting up the Itzu Tri Team were discussed. “It has always been my dream to coach athletes from professional teams. As an Itzu Tri Team coach, it is important to me that we have young talent with a great deal of potential in our team, and who can evolve in the long term. As a coach, I endeavour to bring out the best in every athlete through a calm approach, and to let them develop, some more quickly than others.”
The athletesThe four triathletes selected to wear the colours of the Itzu Tri Team for the 2017 season are the Belgians Alexandra Tondeur, Amber Rombaut and Kenneth Vandendriessche and the Spanish Saleta Castro.
Alexandra and Saleta, both 29, are specialised in the long-distance IM, and hope to move into the top 10 in their discipline this season. Kenneth and Amber, however, have other challenges. Kenneth, 25 years old, European long distance duathlon champion, is continuing his development in triathlons. His objective: a first victory in IM 70.3. For her last season as a junior (18), Amber will manage the transition to the Olympic distance gradually, combining this with her studies in medicine.
The ITZU Tri Team, a new professional triathlon team under the leadership of Luc Van Lierde
- A professional structure supporting promising talents
- Four recognized triathletes for 2017
- A long-term plan with international objectives
- Industry-leading partners at world level
The Itzu Tri Team offers four promising athletes the chance to start the 2017 season under the expert leadership of the double winner of the Ironman Hawaii, Luc Van Lierde, providing them with the opportunity to advance to the international level of excellence of elite athletes. Actor and TV personality Louis Talpe will be the team’s godfather.
The beginnings of the teamThe Itzu Tri Team is the result of a cooperation between Luc Van Lierde, the long-distance triathlon legend, and Koen Janssen, managing director of the Itzu holding. With their shared passion for the sport, their ambition was to set up a new professional international triathlon team. In 2016, Van Lierde and Janssen began the preparations for the Itzu Tri Team. On 18 January 2017, the team was officially introduced to the press.
Koen Janssen, managing director of Itzu nv, a Limburg holding company that incorporates four service companies, explains why he is taking on the role of team manager. “In common with our Itzu group, this new team has the potential to evolve. Together with Itzu and the other sponsors, we will make every effort over the coming years to make this project a success. Triathlon is about endurance, character, the perfect balance between body and spirit. An obvious match with the values and vision that Itzu and our 1,200 employees hold dear,” says the Limburger managing director.
Support from leading partnersNaturally, this project would not have been possible without the cooperation of several prestigious partners, each exceptional in their own industry. They are giving their support and equipment to the professional structure of the Itzu Tri Team, enabling the athletes the opportunity to realize their ambitions. The Itzu Tri Team can count on the support of the following partners: Itzu, Bioracer, Endless Pools, Chaintec, Ridley, CEP, Lazer Helmets, Shimano, FFWD, Contigo, Hiddit, Hands, Stadsbader, Foederer, ECS, Zone 3, Delen Private Bank and Scio Productions.
Team ambitionsNaturally, the athletes, management and the sponsors have high ambitions resulting from the guidance and advice of Luc Van Lierde, twice voted Belgian Sportsman of the Year. Luc Van Lierde did not hesitate when the plans for setting up the Itzu Tri Team were discussed. “It has always been my dream to coach athletes from professional teams. As an Itzu Tri Team coach, it is important to me that we have young talent with a great deal of potential in our team, and who can evolve in the long term. As a coach, I endeavour to bring out the best in every athlete through a calm approach, and to let them develop, some more quickly than others.”
The athletesThe four triathletes selected to wear the colours of the Itzu Tri Team for the 2017 season are the Belgians Alexandra Tondeur, Amber Rombaut and Kenneth Vandendriessche and the Spanish Saleta Castro.
Alexandra and Saleta, both 29, are specialised in the long-distance IM, and hope to move into the top 10 in their discipline this season. Kenneth and Amber, however, have other challenges. Kenneth, 25 years old, European long distance duathlon champion, is continuing his development in triathlons. His objective: a first victory in IM 70.3. For her last season as a junior (18), Amber will manage the transition to the Olympic distance gradually, combining this with her studies in medicine.
