Sports
Danilo Pimentel: Preparation and Expectations for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília
The triathlete from Pará details his strategy, lessons from Curitiba, and confidence for the challenge after altitude training.
Danilo Pimentel shares valuable insights into his journey and preparation for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília. The professional triathlete reflects on the Curitiba race, the challenges overcome, and his refined strategy after an intense training block in Boulder, Colorado. Learn about his perspective on rivals and his determination for the event.
Professional triathlete Danilo Pimentel opened up about his preparation and expectations for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília in an exclusive interview with Fabio Bessa and Diegão from Stemma Sports. Directly from the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília event, Danilo, who just completed a training block in Boulder, Colorado, detailed the strategy he hopes will lead him to the podium after his experience in Curitiba.
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Lessons from Curitiba: The Path to a New Strategy
Danilo Pimentel recalled IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba, a challenging race where he was in the front pack and even managed to break away with Enzo. However, the run brought unexpected difficulties. "I didn't feel well right from the start; I felt somewhat stiff and heavy," he confessed. Arriving at the last minute, with long flights and missed connections, was a factor he believes impacted his performance.
"In the middle of the race, I had a very good moment when I started to catch up with the third person, who was Enzo... I thought, 'Now it's going to happen, I'm feeling a comfortable pace,'" he explained. However, the end of the race, especially the last 4-5 km, was tough. He also commented on seeing athlete Miguel walking during the run, a situation that prompted him to encourage Miguel to finish, emphasizing the importance of each race as experience and training.
Optimized Preparation in Boulder for Brasília
For the challenge in Brasília, Danilo and his team, including coach Cris, revisited their strategy. "I didn't try the same way if we want a different result," he stated. The athlete focused his preparation on an altitude training block in Boulder, Colorado, seeking a different physical response. The main goal was to improve transitions and the bike exit, crucial points for performance.
He contrasted this year's preparation with that of 2023 in Brasília when he fell ill before the race and started with symptoms. That year, demotivation and discomfort led him to compete just to finish, without truly engaging in the race. "After the race, I really crashed; I was unwell for about 3 or 4 days," he revealed. Now, with an earlier arrival and the feeling of having "time to spare," Danilo feels more in control and confident. His perception of improvement across all three disciplines, and the positive surprise with his swimming performance, reinforce his optimism.
Rivals and Connections on the IRONMAN Circuit
Danilo also analyzed the competition in Brasília, mentioning his friend Felipe Azevedo, with whom he trained in Portugal in 2016 and 2017, and shared a room at an IRONMAN 70.3 in Augusta. Felipe, who achieved a top 10 finish at a world championship, is a reference and helped him with tips on time trials and aerodynamics. He also mentioned the Swiss athlete Tacone and another Swiss athlete, who is the world record holder for the 6-hour cycling on a velodrome, characterized by his consistency and strength on the bike, but whose swimming and running are unknowns. A third, younger Swiss athlete, coming from the ITU, suggests "good swimming and very good running," requiring extra attention.
Fun Facts About Athlete Danilo Pimentel
In a relaxed Q&A, Danilo Pimentel revealed more personal aspects:
- Music for training: Eminem
- Favorite superhero: Batman
- Football team: São Paulo FC
- Favorite post-race meal: A good hamburger
- Longest ride: 200 km, done in 2017/2018
- Childhood idols: Ayrton Senna and Gustavo Borges, both inspirations that led him to dream of the Olympics.
He also shared his mother's classic affection and concerns regarding his training and diet, and expressed joy at her presence in Brasília to watch him compete.
With his preparation finalized and his mind focused, Danilo Pimentel is ready for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília. His past lessons, dedication to altitude training, and careful analysis of competitors show an athlete determined to achieve the best result and harness the race's energy. Expectations are high to see him cross the finish line successfully.
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