Mexican, Czech aces gun for repeats in Davao

Mexcio’s Mauricio Mendez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

Mauricio Mendez and Czech Radka Kahlefeldt shoot for repeats on Sunday when the second Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao is flagged off at Azuela Cove.

Mendez charged back in the closing run stage to emerge the first-ever champion of the 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run event, and while the Mexican star said he’s ready and all pumped up to go for another crown, he believes the rest of the compact field will be coming into the event in top form.

“I think everyone has a chance, so I think it’s a matter of getting focused and ready for race day and giving everything you’ve got,” said Mendez, who clocked 3:50:32 to score a come-from-behind victory over Aussie ace Tim Reed last year.

“For every race, I just give it my best in training, focusing on what my coach asks me and just trying to stay healthy,” added the 23-year-old Mexican star.

But Reed and the rest of the pro men’s field are out to foil his repeat bid.