A lot of people who insisted that Kessler couldn't race tactically, that he'd get out-raced by savvier NCAA guys or journeymen or whatever, need to eat a lot of crow--you know who you are.
This wasn't a tactical race... it was a fast race. Kessler absolutely did the right thing by gluing himself on Nuguse's back... which I guess is technically good tactics, but it wasn't a hard plan to execute.
A lot of people who insisted that Kessler couldn't race tactically, that he'd get out-raced by savvier NCAA guys or journeymen or whatever, need to eat a lot of crow--you know who you are.
Tbf, that was about as easy as it gets tactically. The only big decision he had to make was get near the front early. But he ran a great one.
His tactics all trials were "follow yared". TBF it worked, so all credit to him.
A lot of people who insisted that Kessler couldn't race tactically, that he'd get out-raced by savvier NCAA guys or journeymen or whatever, need to eat a lot of crow--you know who you are.
Tbf, that was about as easy as it gets tactically. The only big decision he had to make was get near the front early. But he ran a great one.
Impressed by Ciattei also. Fairly simple tactic, yeah, but he fought to defend his spot by the rail for the entire race and had the fifth-fastest last lap behind the top three and Green, who went a disgusting 42.40 - 59.32 - 56.71 - 53.78. He's around the same age as Kessler too
Nuguse did all the work though. So much easier to sit and kick like that.
Interesting comment for the finals. Nuguse will not be running from the front in the Olympics and can likely get a better time...he still has to deal with Jakob and Josh at the bell though.
Yared is WAY too good to lose as much as he does. If he had the right mentality he'd be a permanent lock for at least bronze but he might not even medal in the 1500 at this rate.
These are all clown races. The best runner is the one who runs the fastest and wins the most consistently🥱. Besides, Hocker has most likely peaked too early and won’t medal as well as the other americans
Kerr closed in 52.77 last year in a 3:29 race. And he looks better this year. But Hocker and Nuguse are both medal threats no doubt, could win gold if everything breaks perfectly, but Kerr and Jakob are still the favorites at the moment imo
He closed in 53-low. The splits have him .7 behind Jakob when he was right on Jakobs shoulder.
I think Nuguse went out a little bit too hard, maybe I'm seeing things but he did not look super relaxed mid-race. Either way the best possible team did make it through!!
I was surprised he actually gained some ground on Hocker in the last 50 or so meters.
In an Olympic final with either Jakob/Kerr pushing the pace for him I think hes more of a medal (or even Gold) threat than Hocker.
In terms of distance events, as I think about the 1500, I think that ultimately even though half the field needs 3:33.50, I think it's most likelly to be a case of prisoner's dilemma where no one pushes the 2nd 800. They end up wimping out. I think Nuguse may get under there but I'm going to predict third isn't under. I'd love to be wrong.
Regardless, I do think it will be fast and keep going back and forth as to who will win. For the prediction contest, I picked Nuguse but I keep telling myself that Hocker looks amazing and this will end up being the equivalent of Kerr vs Jakob so I should go with Hocker. But then I just looked up the Pre Classic results. There Yared was 2.73 seconds faster than Hocker so that should be enough to win despite having to lead, right?
What have we said on the pod? 2.5 seconds.
For thirdd in a fast race, I think it's Kessler, maybe Teare. Don't discount Wynne - he's been very ipressive to me. Waskom also. No one else has a shot if it is fast.
Totally wrong on time. No shock there. And everyone knew who the top 3 were likely to be.
he has won diamond leagues against some of the best in the world. What have cole done thats so much better? It was a good strategy by nuguse today since the important thing was to be top 3. Great performance by Cole today, but to win in Paris Cole will probably need to run the last 300m atleast this fast in a 2-3 second faster race, and much harder heats and semis.
Yeah, the reality is that for the gold Goose doesn't have the closing speed and Cole doesn't have the endurance. Both are definite medal contenders but I can't see them beating all of Jakob, Josh and Jake.
3:30.59 is outstanding but the Oly final will likely be at least 1.5 seconds faster.