Atlanta, GA – Wilier Triestina USA has announced the victory of sponsored Ironman champion Chris McDonald atop its revolutionary Cento Crono time trial bike over the weekend. Just days ago the company had formally announced the 2009 partnership with Aussie McDonald, who disputed – and won – his first race as a Wilier-sponsored athlete in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand on January 17th.Angelo Cilli, co-owner of North American distributor Wilier Triestina USA, was ecstatic: “We were interested in signing Chris because we knew he was a strong and savvy cyclist. He also seemed genuinely excited about the association with a brand boasting a long history in European road racing. The Cento Crono was made possible by Wilier’s openness to input from aerodynamics and positioning expert John Cobb, as well as Wilier’s ability to take that design and make an aero bike that handles like a performance road bike.” Cilli continued, “Chris liked the Crono immediately and was determined to ride it well at Wanaka. We told him we weren’t worried, that it was still early in the season. But he went out and won, and even bettered his previous bike-time by thirteen minutes!’”
McDonald explained that the Cento Crono not only allowed him to go faster in the bike segment, it also enabled him to enter the run less fatigued. “The bike was awesome! I took thirteen minutes off my bike time from 2007 – the old course record. The Crono felt great on the very rough roads which allowed me to feel fresher for the run,” reported McDonald. “I am very pleased to have won my first event of 2009 and my third title. It was also very satisfying to have been part of Wilier’s triumphant entry into the world of professional triathlon.”
McDonald will next compete at the Ochsner Ironman 70.3 in New Orleans on April 5th, and continues to set his sights on a top finish at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in October.
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