Marino Vanhoenacker is the new Ironman European Champion ©Michael Rauschendorfer
Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL), one of the World’s best Ironman triathletes, won the 2012 Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt (Germany) in 08:03:31, 6:24 minutes ahead of Sebastian Kienle (GER) and 10:33 over Clemente Alonso-McKernan (ESP).
The 10-time Ironman winner put in a powerful and consistent effort, highlighted by an incredible bike split in heavy rain. On his SRAM RED equipped Scott Plasma Premium he was able to make a decisive move in the final 45km which put him in position to run for the victory. The ultra-light weight and high performance SRAM RED groupset, managed by the SRAM R2C Aero shifters and 990 Aero brakes levers, provided him the perfect tools to control his bike in the challenging conditions.
Scott Plasma Premium SRAM RED/ SRAM R2C Aero shifters/ SRAM 990 Aero brake levers/ Zipp 808 & Disc wheels ©Michael Rauschendorfer
The victory clearly shows that Marino is able to perform under incredible pressure, and in poor conditions, against many of the world’s best triathletes. He is now focused on one of the most important goals of his career: the Ironman World Championships in Kona-Hawaii (October 13, 2012). He will certainly be on the short list of Kona favorites, he finished 6th in 2006, 5th in 2007 and got the bronze medal in 2010.