Sports
IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba: Elite Pros Tackle Tough Course
Top contenders analyze the 20-meter draft rule, steep climbs, and gear and hydration setups.
At the pre-race press conference in Curitiba, elite triathletes including Miguel Hidalgo, Pâmela Oliveira, and Aurélia Boulanger detailed the technical demands of the bike course. The pros also shared their mechanical setups and nutrition strategies ahead of race day.
The opening of the triathlon season in Curitiba brought the professional field face-to-face with the demands of the local course. During the official press conference for Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba, athletes highlighted the impact of the technical bike terrain, the enforcement of the 20-meter draft rule, and the specific gearing and hydration choices made to tackle the race.
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Home-Course Advantage and the Local Terrain
For local athletes, racing on roads in the metropolitan area offers the comfort of routine alongside the high expectations of the home crowd. Luiz Ohde, known as "Todinho," welcomed the ease of competing without extensive travel logistics and praised the road surface in Araucária, which was recently resurfaced. Pietra Meneghini expressed her pride in racing in her hometown, noting that the swim in the Passaúna Reservoir and the bike section through Colônia Cristina and Rua João Bettega deliver a fresh and challenging route even for athletes based in Curitiba.
France's Aurélia Boulanger, making her Brazilian debut in pursuit of a qualifying slot for the World Championship in Nice, noted that the elevation profile suits her riding style. Recognized for her power on the bike, the triathlete explained that the lack of flat sections combined with short, punchy climbs plays directly to her strengths.
A Decisive Bike Leg and the 20-Meter Rule
Competitors widely agreed that the 90 km bike split will shape the race. Miguel Hidalgo noted that the winding, rhythm-disrupting course demands sustained power along with tactical smarts to carry momentum into descents. The 20-meter drafting zone in the professional category is also set to break up packs, turning the bike segment into an individual test of strength.
Danilo Pimentel and Pâmela Oliveira stressed the importance of pacing on the bike to preserve energy for the half marathon. With warm, humid conditions expected on an undulating run course, overexertion during the ride could prove costly in the closing miles.
Chainrings, Cassettes, and Hydration Tactics
The challenging profile, featuring gradients reaching up to 20%, required adjustments to drivetrain setups. While Miguel Hidalgo chose a 1x 58-tooth chainring with a 10-36 cassette to save weight, athletes such as Aurélia Boulanger (56/43 with 10-33) and Pietra Meneghini (54/41 with 10-33) opted for 2x setups to manage the steepest climbs without sacrificing top-end speed on descents.
For hydration, most athletes set up two to three bottles distributed between between-the-arms front mounts, aerodynamic frame bottles, and rear-saddle cages. They also plan to utilize aid stations placed on uphill stretches to make bottle handoffs safer and easier at lower speeds.
Pressure and Expectations on Miguel Hidalgo
Considered the top men's contender following his runner-up finish on the WTCS circuit and his appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Miguel Hidalgo explained that his winter base block in Lanzarote aligned smoothly with his middle-distance preparation. The athlete said he embraces the external expectations calmly, emphasizing that his main goal as a professional is to inspire the next generation of Brazilian triathletes.
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