So my prediction? Another bike split record for Stadler on the way to victory #3.

He's got a new and improved bike, and he'll be trying to put some distance between him and the Macca Attaca before the run. I'm guessing and average of 37mph and he catches fire on the downhills, dousing himself with gatorade to put out the flames. That's where I stand. :D

I seem to be a minority when it comes to Macca, but I like him. Having spent some time in Australia this past year and getting to know some Aussies, I just think it’s in their nature to be outgoing and somewhat cocky. All of the great athletes know they are great, but some are just more outspoken about it that others. I guess most people are put off if there is an air of arrogance about an athlete but I don’t have much of a problem with it – they just have to back it up and Macca hasn’t done that yet on center stage. The key for Macca to me is that he just can't let Stadler build such a large lead on the bike. You know Stadler will bust out on the bike because that’s what he does, but you can't let him build such a huge lead there. If it comes down between those two, Macca overtakes Stadler somewhere around mile 20 on the run. I would really like for an American like Tim DeBoom to re-emerge but I don't know that he has enough in him anymore. Are there any other Americans that could emerge in Kona for the win?

However, after saying all that, my official response on the winner on the men's side is Rutger Beke I think he will surprise everyone and pull it off. Assuming he has recovered from his leg injury he should be in good shape with some time off in late July and early August. He has been hovering for the past few years and with a win at IMAZ this may be his year. Being from Kentucky, it is in my nature to look for the horse showing up on the board at ~10:1 when betting on a race ;-)

On the women's side, I am going with Natasha Badmann. I hope she still has enough in her, but I can't root against that Smile :) Of course I would love to see an American emerge on the women’s side as well but I don’t know if there are any that are in good position to do so this year – thoughts?

Well everyone knows I'm biased. So I predict a great race from Chris (Lieto). If the winds are strong, that plays in the favor of Chris, Normann, and Sindballe. They can push the watts and build a bigger lead and the rest will be spending more energy on the bike which could slow down the run times. That said, last year McCormack ran like no other. I think he underestimated Normann ability to run and ride for that matter, allowing too large a lead. They let him go straight out of town, that won't happen again. So I don't see Normann getting that kind of lead on his own.

My top 5 men (in no order): McCormack, Lieto, Stadler, Faris, Beke.
top 5 women: Jones, Badmann, Major, Ficker, Corbin

I'm pulling for Macca for for the reasons mentioned by RV. I'd love to see it go down to the wire in a run off.

And for the women - I'm rooting for the American Ficker.

Have to root for the hometown, and just a wonderful person to boot

Ficker :)

Men's side...I still need to look at things.

If we knew who was going to win we wouldn't have to keep up with it race day. That said, I do have my favorites I would like to see win. Tim DeBoom has been trying to dig himself out of a hole since the kidney stone incident at Kona a few years back. Would love to see him do it one more time. And while I am partial to that smile of Natasha, I would love to see Desiree pull an upset.

i agree somewhat, you do have to look at the overall body of work, but the Championships is to determine the best from the best. His first few attempts were bad, last year he had a great race. No question Chris is one of the best triathletes around, especially when you look at his success at all distances, not many have been able to do that. However, Chris moved to Ironman for one reason, to be the World Champion at this distance and cement his legacy as one of the best ever. He must maintain the attitude of "i am the greatest" otherwise why put so much effort into it. I think if he retires without having become the World Champion, he'll concede that the others were just better.

A champion has to have the belief that they are the best, if they don't then they won't get to that elite of the elite level.

I think most people would think that LA has a pretty high opinion of himself - And I am a big fan of LA and again I don't see it as a flaw or anything - since he was able to back it up.

Macca has accomplished everything that he has set out for except for Kona, and he said that he has to win there in the next 3 years or it will lessen what he has accomplished elsewhere.
Like LA put the emphasis on the TdF, Macca has put it on Kona. Now we see if he can back it up.

I think its gonna be red5 by about 20 minutes.

Being Aussie I have to root for the double!!

If you don't believe you're the best, then you can never be the best. The only difference between Macca and the others is that he actually says it out loud, where the rest just think it. It's an Aussie thing.. We're all big heads!
FIGJAM!!
(F*** I'm Good Just Ask Me)

Going for the darkhorse. Beke. He can outrun them all, if he has a good bike he will be there in the end!

Bentley for the women. Cause she is awesome, has the drive, and is Canadiant!

Thats what I'm saying:

Ooops, did I say the quiet part loud!

Here in the US, we have been beat down with political correctness for so long people begin to question whether they should say what they think and feel for fear of being labeled a certain type of person and I think it has started to spread into other facets of conversation. You really think hard about what you are about to say and by the time you realize that it should be OK to say what you are thinking the moment has passed. Not that I think what Macca says has anything to do with being PC, but its more of a "I think this way and by God I'm going to say it" mentalitly that I think alot of Australians exhibit. It was refreshing meeting the Aussies and working with them this past year. Very polite but not afraid to say what they thought - Cheers Mate!