Italian Massimo Cigana dug deep to pass race leader Bjorn Andersson of Sweden in the final 100 meters of the run to take the Ironman 70.3 Austria crown Sunday at St. Polten. The Netherlands' Yvonne Van Vlerken took charge on the run as well, shutting down the hotstreaking Erika Csomor of Hungary for the women's title in 4:22:43.

Just shy of 1,500 athletes took to the unique Ironman 70.3 Austria swim course that spans two lakes. Hungary's Adam Molnar led all pros out of the water, followed closely by Argentine Francisco Pontano and Andersson. The super Swede then took command on the bike, pumping out a lead that he continued to grow throughout the final half-marathon. But despite Andersson's strong stride, Cigana continually built steam on the run and began nipping at the frontrunner's heels with less than a mile to go. The Italian scooted past Andersson in the finishing chute, treating 11,000 spectators to an all-out sprint to the finish that had Cigana coming out on top by 40 seconds for an overall time of 3:56:12. Andersson strode in for second in 3:56:52, just 19 seconds ahead of last year's winner, Michael Gohner of Germany, who rebounded from a 24th-place swim to take the bronze in 3:57:11.

In the women's race, Germany’s Sandra Wallenhorst took the lead 70 kilometers into the bike, followed by Csomor, who knocked out wins at Ironman Arizona and Ironman 70.3 California already this season. But the always dangerous Van Vlerken wasn't far behind - the Dutchwoman passed Wallenhorst and Csomor and grew her lead to 2:40 by 11km mark of the run. Van Vlerken never looked back, crossing the line in 4:22:43, free and clear of her competitors for first place. Csomor managed to overtake Wallenhorst for second in 4:35:52.

Ironman 70.3 Austria
St. Polten, Austria
Sunday, May 25, 2008
1.2mi S/56mi B/13.1mi R

Men's Results
1. Massimo Cigana (ITA) 3:56:12
2. Bjorn Andersson (SWE) 3:56:52
3. Michael Göhner (GER) 3:57:11
4. Dennis Devriendt (BEL) 3:58:54
5. Alun Woodward (GBR) 4:00:26

Women's Results
1. Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) 4:22:43
2. Erika Csomor (HUN) 4:25:52
3. Sandra Wallenhorst (GER) 4:26:25
4. Veronika Hauke (AUT) 4:32:01
5. Joan Bláfoss (DEN) 4:35:07