DAVID McNAMEE admitted it was a baptism of fire after he came 21st on his debut on the Ironman circuit at yesterday's Challenge Dubai race.

The Scot, taking his first crack at the longer event after quitting the Olympic distance, was forced to use a borrowed bike after emerging among the leaders from the swim stage.

And he eventually finished in 3:55.05, one minute and 45 seconds adrift of race winner Joe Skipper.

"It was average to poor," McNamee said. "I found it a steep learning curve, just the whole bike part, getting used to staying in the aero position for that length of time. It was just a whole new thing. But I can take the positives from it. And I ran OK."

Fellow Scot Ritchie Nicholls was 34th after delivering the quickest run of the day while Fraser Cartmell was 42 despite sustaining a black eye amid the start of the swim.

World champion Daniela Ryf won the women's race with Jodie Swallow the best-placed Briton in fourth.