16.06.2008 Puerto del Carmen Triathlon
Olympic competitor Xavier LLobet Sallent has won the qualification race in Puerto del Carmen last Saturday. On the distances of 750 – 20 – 5 his time was 1:02:32 having over two minutes lead into the finish.
FB-Optimizer supported local athlete Mustapha Akoudad Safout finished as overall fifth. After having some bike training sessions as well as theory instructions on tactics and mental focusing with the FB-Optimizer, he had the by far best bike split of the day being over one minute faster than anyone else on a distance of 20km. Well done.
Details results can be found under www.fecantri.com
07.04.08 We need your help!!!
As announced, FB-Optimizer wants to launch a campaign informing about the danger on the roads of Lanzarote as well as creating a platform for all cyclists or interested to post there personal stories and experiences with traffic and car drivers on this island. Further there will be a “petition-zone” where everyone can (should) sign with their name and nationality, protesting against the security situation on the roads or showing themselves solitary with the campaign. Another part will be for companies to state their interest in a positive development of the security situation. For this reason we are going to create a WEB-SITE in three languages. As the first language shall be Spanish, we are looking for a name for this Site. If you should have an idea for a short, stating, memorable name which is internationally understandable, please post it to us at info@FB-Optimizer.com . Thanks a lot and we will keep you informed because “it’s now or never”.
Our favourite at the moment: "NUESTRA-VIDA"
16.03.08 A sign which saves lives
A simple sign as this on the image can save lives…! On whole Lanzarote there is not a single sign indicating “cyclists” set up. Of course this sign means “cycles crossing the road” but it can easily attract the attention of car drivers. This will make them aware there are cyclists on the road and even more when they feel annoyed by them. Mallorca is a good example for the development of cyclists and car (drivers) accepting each other and knowing of the respect one has to have for the other. Cabildo Lanzarote (Island Government) is paying subventions to hotels for offering a wide range of sports offers. This includes cycling offers and bike rentals. Basically a good idea but Cabildo must also follow up and guarantee at least a minimum of security on the roads for the cyclists.
FB-Optimizer, in person Folkert Behrends wants to point out the problems existing in the daily traffic and take the tragic accident of last month as an example what can happen if car drivers are not aware of cyclists.
We do need at least a few signs pointing out: “Hey Mr. car driver…: careful, we are also there. We are slow and sometimes in large bunches, but we are there. So please look after us…!”
Comment your opinion on our “contact” page.
Thanks and we will report…!
14.03.08 Why no news…?
There has not been any new news on our website since more than six weeks. The reason is that Folkert Behrends had a server accident whilst training for the IRONMAN 2008 on Lanzarote. He was run down by a car when sitting on his bike. The car came from the back and struck him with aprox. 100 km/h. It is a miracle that Foli survived with only internal injuries. Rushed to hospital he was diagnosed three broke vertebras, broken leg, broken ribs and different bruises of the impact. After four weeks of hospital he is now at home starting rehab.
The sad thing about this accident is that Foli was run down on the widest road on Lanzarote on a straight stretch where one can see for at least 2 km to the front. Additionally he was riding in the emergency lane (right side of the white line). The driver has since the accident not informed himself about the state of Foli nor did he inform his insurance about nearly killing a cyclist.
FB-Optimizer is going to use this incidence to start a campaign. We would like the Island Government to set up signs indicating there are cyclists on the road. It is not more than the well known sign being a triangle with a cyclist marked in the middle. Lanzarote does not even have one singe one of these but has about 50 000 cyclists / triathletes over every year. What Lanzarote has is two signs indicating “cows” crossing the road. We have never seen a cow here ever…!
More to come on this campaign….
Stay safe and keep going: it is good to be alive!!!
19.01.2008 Race report 11th Lanzarote Duathlon
136 competitors of every level came together to challenge themselves on the distances 5km run – 20km bike – 2,5km run. The annually held duathlon at Club La Santa was supported by fantastic weather: sun shine and no wind.
The (as usual) well organized race had some very high classed athletes at the start line:
Top duathlete Joerie van Steeland (BEL), triathlete Teemu Toivanen (FIN), locals Mustafa Adoudad Safout, Nicolas Ward Munoz and Club La Santa Staff member Bob de Wolf (BEL).
The woman line up: Yvonne van Vlerken (NED), Mariska Kramer (NED) and Erika Csomor (HUN).
The woman’s race:
The first 5 km the three favourites ran together an intense pace, knowing that the bike leg would probably be better to cycle together as drafting was aloud. They entered transition after 18:09 min and set off on the bikes. It was van Vlerken who attacked the group after 15km on a down hill stretch dropping Kramer and Csomor. Comment of van Vlerken after the race: “I attacked down hill because I am heavier than the other two.” She entered transition with an advantage of 44 sec heading out onto the second run. The best second run split secured her victory in 1:06:24. Kramer and Csomor battled themselves during the entire 2,5km and crossed the finish line together in 1:07:25.
The men’s race:
The story of first position is quickly told: JOERIE VAN STEELANT !!! The only time his opponents saw him was at the start line and after race, chatting with some orange in his hand…
His first run leg (15:43 min) already gave him a lead of 45 sec. What followed was a demonstration of bike skill. He flew around the 20 km course letting world class triathlete Thomas Hellriegel (Hell on Wheels) comment. “That is awesome…!” Second run leg Joerie had no problems to secure his second consecutive victory on Lanzarote in 00:59:06.
And behind him: five athletes set off together on the bikes. It was Bob de Wolf who set the pace sitting in front of the group most of the time. The 24th of Ironman Florida set such a pace that after 10km up hill only Adoudad and Montilla Fernandez (ESP) could follow. These three entered the second transition together. The last 2,5km had to bring the decision. Montilla Fernandez (1:01:32) had the best legs as he had kept in the background on the bike leg. De Wolf (1:01:47) came third running faster than Adoudad (1:02:08).
A philosophy that works:
This race always has had its stars and world class athletes. But it is also made for the general athlete. The acceptance is great as more athletes have signed up every year. Before and after the race it is more a social event than a serious race. Don’t get me wrong…: as soon as the gun is fired everybody does his best and the first is as ambitious as the last…!
Folkert Behrends
Full Result list enter www.clublasanta.com
14.01.08 Interview with Kenneth Gasque
Interview with Kenneth Gasque, Race Director IRONMAN Lanzarote..................................
.
Folkert Behrends: Kenneth, congratulations to a fully booked IRONMAN
2008! Where do you see the reasons for the race being full
this early of the year?
Kenneth Gasque: We are definitely one of the most challenging and fairest
races of the IRONMAN family. We offer all athletes the
same conditions as everybody starts the race together: age
groupers as pros. The bike course is so demanding that
drafting is limited to a minimum plus we have race marshals
controlling the fairness of the race. The marathon along the
Avenida in Puerto del Carmen is very thrilling as there are
thousands of spectators.
A further reason is that the other Ironman races in Europe
are booked out and IRONMAN Lanzarote offers the
alternative; even more now that the Government has
invested in the infrastructure. 90% of the roads have been
done new. Now no athlete has to worry about his material
anymore and we (the organisation) do not have to fear
accidents because of the road quality.
Folkert Behrends: Registration has been closed (12.01.08) and you have 1316
competitors signed up. Last year there were 1040 athletes
competing. Looking at the history of the IRONMAN
Lanzarote, the number of competitor has increased every
year. What does that mean for the organisation?
Kenneth Gasque: Having so many athletes wanting to compete in our race is
fantastic!
We will have to change the transition zone. We need more
space so we will move the finish line further up the Avenida.
The swim start is critical but we had good experience with
the solution last year. I want to continue with the swim start
off the beach and not in the water. But this means that all
the swimmers are heading towards the first buoy and turn
90° after only 250m. Last year we made a 45° turn. It worked
very well.
The logistic does not change very much; it even has
advantages when the race is booked out: we already now
know how many e.g. T-shirts we will need or how many
energy bars etc.
Folkert Behrends: Have you reached the capacity limit?
Kenneth Gasque: In my opinion we can take maximum 1500 competitors. This
limit is set mainly by the swim start and wanting to stick to
the idea of everybody starting at the same time.
Folkert Behrends: Which words would you choose to describe the
IRONMAN Lanzarote to someone who does not know
much about triathlon:
Kenneth Gasque: Island, sun, wind, warm, long day, challenge, experience,
pleasure…
Folkert Behrends: Which were your biggest highlights in the history of
IRONMAN Lanzarote?
Kenneth Gasque: I cannot say I have a biggest highlight because all races
had their own highlights. A highlight is to see the athletes
finish the IRONMAN. The emotions are so different. You
often see finishers cross the finish line and suddenly all
the tension falls off them. They stop running and only then
notice how exhausted they are. But all show the same pride
of having finished the race.
Folkert Behrends: Your biggest nightmares or worst experiences?
Kenneth Gasque: One nightmare is accidents of athletes. The bike leg is on
public roads with car traffic. That is always a danger. The
down hills are steep and fast for the bikers. In the
mountains (Miador del Rio and Miador del Harria) we have
closed the roads down for traffic in one or two directions.
We do so for the safety of the athletes. Fortunately we
have not had serious injuries over the last years.
Two years ago we had a true nightmare at five o clock in
the morning before race start. A drunken car driver entered
the transition zone with his car smashing down fences and
driving in between the bikes. He drove up the transition
zone at least 200m and was then stopped by the security
guards and the police. My first concern was the bikes of
the competitors and how to replace the bikes if there were
some damaged. Luckily no bikes were affected. Imagine an
athlete coming into the transition zone which is guarded
and his bike has been wrecked by a drunken car driver…
As I said: every year has it’s highlights and nightmares.
Folkert Behrends: Do you feel well prepared for this year’s edition of
IRONMAN Lanzarote?
Kenneth Gasque: There is never a guarantee but we feel well prepared.
Folkert Behrends: Thank you Kenneth and good luck and success…
Kenneth Gasque: Thank you…
31.12.07 Last but not Least...
Parking your car is one thing, but crashing it this way is another... After hitting a telefon mast this driver was realy lucky to leave the car uninjured. The car has not yet been removed as the mast is standing in the boot of the car. Normaly that is the place where you put your shopping or your sports gear (maybe some one should have told the driver)...
Anyway... FB-Optimizer wishes you all a happy new year and all the best for 2008!!!
Click the image...
22.12.07 It's NOT raining...
After nearly three days heaven has decided to close the water tap and let Lanzarote dry down. Ther are a few clouds left but the sun is making it's way through...
Today we have a 75km bike around "El Golfo". Beautiful place... one should have been there. It's so much more enjoyable to ride the island anyway because all the roads have been tarmaced new!!! For next year it is planed to finish off the island. It is even planed to build over 100km on BIKE LANES for cyclists...! Wow, that's good news...
19.12.07 It`s raining....
It`s raining cats and dogs (and even a few mice...) here on Lanzarote. Since yesterday we haven't seen the sun and it will stay that way until tomorrow. Check the foto and you will see what I saw when I looked out the office window...
Everyone is training indoors and there are even less cars on the road. But we will go outdoors because as you know: "... no pain, no fame..."!
When the sun comes back I will edit a new shot....
Regards from the island known as "the rock..."
German World Champion Norman Stadler DNS (does not start) at the Frankfurt Ironman 2008. According to his management he ist still ill from an infection of his immunsystem. For this reason he withdrew from the race. What a pity: DNF (did not finish) IM Frankfurt 2007, DNF IM Hawaii 2007, DNS IM Frankfurt 2008... what is to come next...???
