Dubai: Tri-Dubai teammates Craig Alexander and Simon Lessing took the top two podium spots at last week's Accenture Chicago Triathlon.
Australian Alexander and Great Britain's Lessing finished the gruelling race within 19 seconds of each other. The race consisted of a 1.5km swim, 40km biking and a 10km run along the shore of Lake Michigan.
The event was held before one of the largest crowds ever for the race an amazing 8,500 athletes and thousands of spectators.
Alexander was seventh out of the water, but quickly caught up with three-time European champion and three-time Escape from Alcatraz winner Lessing, who was second out of the water.
Lessing held his ground making it to T2 in front of the pack, but Alexander ran ahead of him, barely edging him out for a victory.
"It goes to show you what a testimony to the team concept this is," said team manager and former Pro Tony DeBoom. "It was very cool knowing that it was guys on our team that were controlling and dominating the race fans were screaming for Tri-Dubai. It's getting spectators more into, well, spectating. I feel like I've had a really solid race today, so I'm really happy," said Alexander.
"Simon is probably the greatest short-course athlete in the history of our sport. He's a five-time world champion, and to beat him is an absolute honour," Alexander added.
The duo has been competing together since earlier this year, but only had one prior meeting on the race course, at Alcatraz, where Alexander was fourth and Lessing ninth.
They will face each other again and the country's premiere athletes next weekend at the City of LA Triathlon and again at the 70.3 Ironman World Championships in November.
Meanwhile, Tri-Dubai team member Lisa Bentley from Canada took a close second place at the Subaru Ironman Canada, in Penticton, British Columbia.
Bentley's podium finish ensured a Tri-Dubai donation to the Cops 4 Cancer foundation.
