André Lopes Advocates for Unity in Brazilian Pro Triathlon

Rivalry in professional triathlon is both natural and essential once the starting horn sounds, but growing the sport requires a completely different mindset off the course. During the IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo press conference—which also highlighted the preparation and expectations of other pro field contenders—André Lopes stressed that building a sustainable market directly depends on unity among elite athletes themselves.

For Lopes, the isolated rivalries of the past, such as the storied battles between Mark Allen and Dave Scott in the 1980s and 1990s, no longer fit modern reality. Given that triathlon remains a niche sport, he believes professionals must actively collaborate—including maintaining open dialogue about sponsorship rates and contract terms—to strengthen the category as a whole when negotiating with brands and race organizers.

The Difference Between International and Brazilian Markets

Comparing the Brazilian circuit to the global scene, Lopes pointed out that countries like the United States have a far more mature ecosystem. In standard North American 70.3 events, it is common to see 60 to 100 professionals in the men's field alone. In those markets, performing well in Kona or winning major races is crucial to financial survival.

In Brazil, the landscape has been steadily evolving. A significant expansion of the race calendar starting around 2016 and 2017 created more frequent showdowns among the country's top competitors while drawing international talent from South America and Europe, including athletes from Chile, Argentina, and Portugal. The São Paulo race, for instance, assembled a competitive men's pro start list of roughly 25 to 30 athletes.