Neil ran a really smart race. Jakob had plenty left in the home stretch so I don’t think Neil was winning that one unless he passed before the final turn, which is what he tried to do.
They ran pretty much step for step the last 50. Jakob had plenty left but he didn’t really lift the pace. I’ve seen Gourley do that the last 75 in his best races, so that’s why I’m speculating if he waits he can possibly gain on Jakob at the end.
That might be true. Although, I doubt this race was any kind of indicator to what Jakob’s kick is like right now. Before the last lap, he was looking up at the big screen as if he was checking where Gorley was. I think he ran just enough to win and is totally saving himself for the 3k.
And on similar note, how else would you expect Jakob to win against guys like Nuguse if their kick is better? Maybe squeeze 1000m at death pace, but idk how that’s much different from leading the race the whole time. Relying on his kick should be a worse tactic imo than leading in a race vs the big kickers.
Spot on there with the 3k, but man, I feel bad for Koko. I was surprised Battoceltti didn't feature. She ran 14:51 when she was 20 so is obviously talented, she just didn't seem capable of going with the break. Nice result for Courtney-Bryant in third
The break was tough; the first k was in 3 min, then Koko ran a 33 sec. lap. Had Batocletti followed along, she might have had a chance against Courtney. But in fairness, one has to say that Batocletti's Tokyo result was far ahead of anything else she has done ever since and she did well today.
3000m is too short to run the wheels off people, especially with a slow first k but I would not have thought that Klein could keep up with 2:49 2:45 and still kick. Amazing result for her. But Koko is also running faster than she has been since 2019 in/out which is a good sign.
Well said. Those 3ks were pretty legit from the Germans off a ~3:01 opening K. That’s 8:22 pace for the last 2k with the final laps the fastest. Bodes well for both women on the track this summer.
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Neil ran a really smart race. Jakob had plenty left in the home stretch so I don’t think Neil was winning that one unless he passed before the final turn, which is what he tried to do.
They ran pretty much step for step the last 50. Jakob had plenty left but he didn’t really lift the pace. I’ve seen Gourley do that the last 75 in his best races, so that’s why I’m speculating if he waits he can possibly gain on Jakob at the end.
Jakob didn’t lift the pace because it wasn’t necessary. The win was already decided and they both knew it. Hence Jakob looking behind him and easing off, and Neil not pressing all the way to the line. Maybe Neil gets closer if he waits, but I don’t think he cost himself the win or even blundered by making his move when he did.
Seems right on to me. Rabat/Oslo are realistic spots for Nuguse to race on the DL circuit. I can’t see him doing Lausanne so close to USAs. Jakob is unlikely to do Rabat.
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George Mills fell early in the final, pushed twice by Gourley and may have tangled feet with someone else as well. I'd consider dq'ing Gourley. Mills showed some outstanding speed in the prelim, running away from Jakob, though he got overhauled at the end by the bronze medalist Habz. Mills ran 3:35 earlier in the season and he ran 27/26/26 the last three laps in the prelim, so Jakob could see that he had to make it fast, and I think Mills was actually his best competition. Jakob was not going to put any extra effort out there, because he's got more racing left. Still, acceleration is going to remain a vulnerability for him against 1:43-44 800m men, so he should be doing more on the speed side to win World's this year.
Koko needed a quicker first 1k, but it was just 3 flat. Klein really has closed the gap, and she has more power, and hence, a better kick. Koko needs more strength and muscle to work on her acceleration, which really holds her back from medals. Either way, 8:35-36 off of 9 minute pace in the first k was strong for them. They ran 2:49/2:45-46 for a roughly 5:35 last 2k, which is 8:22.5 pace.
Thank you for posting this. I was working and missed the race live.
This looked like a HS race to me where the #1 runner is way better than everybody and never under threat, even for a moment, but just barely runs faster than the rest of the field because he has another 3 events to run. Jakob was jogging and gave just enough effort to win. If Gourley had more to give, then Jakob would have just given a little more. We have no idea what would have happened if Nuguse or Kerr or Katir or Hoare or whoever was in this race because they weren’t racing, but for Jakob, that was a stroll in the park from the gun to the tape. 80-90% effort at most. He would have won this in his trainers.
Daniel John Mills (born 18 May 1977) is an English former professional footballer best known for his time at Leeds United. His main position was right-back, though he could also play as a centre-back. On 7 August 2009, he ann...
Oof, thought Gourley had that at one point. Jakob just had one more gear. Got to say, I don't think Jakob can front-run a race with Nuguse and Wightman in it
Don´t talk about Wightman yet. We haven´t seen how he will perform in this season. Only race this year was a slow 3000m in early January.
Nuguse, however, is the strongest competitor at this moment.
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Today Jakob gave Gourley and Co. the best chance to beat him but it wasn´t enough.
I, however, agree with others on this thread that it will be a challenge for Jakob in Budapest to figure out how to race a (possible) final against Nuguse and other strong finishers. I think his best bet would be to hold back initially hoping Kipsang, Timothy or some other top runner will take it out fast and then go all in with 800m left.
That might be true. Although, I doubt this race was any kind of indicator to what Jakob’s kick is like right now. Before the last lap, he was looking up at the big screen as if he was checking where Gorley was. I think he ran just enough to win and is totally saving himself for the 3k.
And on similar note, how else would you expect Jakob to win against guys like Nuguse if their kick is better? Maybe squeeze 1000m at death pace, but idk how that’s much different from leading the race the whole time. Relying on his kick should be a worse tactic imo than leading in a race vs the big kickers.
Jakob at his best is just too strong for his competitors. He just chills until 800 and then just breaks everybody’s body and spirit from 800-1200 and then just finishes up. That’s how it’s going to go this summer in round 3 of the wc. As long as the first 800 is not super slow, and it won’t be, Jakob will win the race in the next 400 and won’t have to fight anybody off in the home stretch. They will all be kicking for 2nd.
George Mills fell early in the final, pushed twice by Gourley and may have tangled feet with someone else as well. I'd consider dq'ing Gourley. Mills showed some outstanding speed in the prelim, running away from Jakob, though he got overhauled at the end by the bronze medalist Habz. Mills ran 3:35 earlier in the season and he ran 27/26/26 the last three laps in the prelim, so Jakob could see that he had to make it fast, and I think Mills was actually his best competition. Jakob was not going to put any extra effort out there, because he's got more racing left. Still, acceleration is going to remain a vulnerability for him against 1:43-44 800m men, so he should be doing more on the speed side to win World's this year.
What did Gourley do to deserve a DQ? He went right to the inside and maintained his position. It’s not his fault Mills got tangled up. And Gourley beat Mills handily at British Champs anyway, so idk why you think Mills was Ingebrigtsen’s biggest threat.
Mills couldn't find a spot and basically tripped on his own feet riding up on the bank of the curve as he moved outwards. Gourley simply defended his space appropriately against the callow youth. Meslek was the victim here. He had a decent shot for fourth.
