BMC athletes go sub 8 hours in KMD Ironman Copenhagen

Patrick Nilsson (SWE) took the victory in a phenomenal time of 7:49:19 in front of BMC-Etixx p/b Uplace athlete Will Clarke (7:59:31) at KMD Ironman Copenhagen. A performance that put both riders into the history books as the first ever athlete of their respective countries to go sub 8 hours in an Ironman race.

Both riders started off well in a foggy Copenhagen, wrapping up the swim in the lead group of seven. The BMC-Etixx athlete Clarke exited the water in 3rd place, but thanks to a fast transition was able to jump on his bike in first place. After a furious ride on the bike leg it was then individual athlete Patrik Nilsson (also on a Timemachine TM01) who exited first to start the marathon in front of Andreas Raelert. Will Clarke started the run in fifth place, but soon showed that he brought his running legs to Copenhagen. The overall crown after an incredibly exciting and fast race was taken by Patrik Nilsson who finished with a sub 8-hour finish in 07:49:18 and set an impressive new course record at the IRONMAN Copenhagen. Will Clarke also managed to secure a sub 8-hour finish and second place with a time of 07:59:31. The podium was rounded out with Fabio Carvalho in third place in 08:07:10.

Patrik Nilsson was over the moon

“I still can’t believe that I raced the race of my life so far, just yesterday! I knew that it would be a fast race, with the strongest pro field, that I have ever raced in. But I was ready, I was focused, I was hungry and I had fun! But to brake my own IM record with 20 min from last year, is still unbelievable – 7.49:18h. 3 month ago I changed coach and that is what pushed the button this time. Since then we have worked with my mentality around racing, just to be ready for a start field like yesterday. We have worked on my nutrition to get every single percent out from every session. And we have worked on my bike that has been my weakest discipline… To both ride and run faster than I have ever done before (12 and 2min) just prove what did it this time and what pushed the fast forward button.”

Will Clarke perfectly executed the race

Will Clarke was buzzing after the race: “It was an amazing day in Copenhagen, I got second place, qualified for the World Championship in Kona and went sub 8 hours. It really was a perfectly executed race today, I am really happy with my race and how I could put together this performance. It was a crucial time, I needed to be on the podium today to qualify for Kona, we did it, and to do so in this manner feels really special. We got so much to go for in Kona now. I am really delighted to put a race like this together, it is a big confidence booster ahead of Kona. Today also really shows I am good at Ironman, it really is my thing and I look forward to the next races. I also want to say a special thanks to everyone, especially my family, my support crew and BMC-Etixx Pro Triathlon Team powered by Uplace. I am so so happy.”