IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo: Pros Preview Course and Expectations
Pro triathlon elite preview the race in the capital, highlighting closed expressways and deep competition.
At the opening press conference for IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo, pro athletes shared their thoughts on the course and goals for Sunday. With a mix of debutants and seasoned contenders, expectations are running high.
The official opening of Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo brought together top domestic and international pro athletes to preview the race's challenges in Brazil's largest metropolis. Moderated by Maia Fleming, the triathletes broke down the fast-paced course along the express lanes of the Marginal highway and outlined their race-day strategies.
Women's field expectations
In the women's field, the panel featured American Rachel Olsson alongside Brazil's Mariana Borges and Bruna Stolf. Making her São Paulo debut, Olsson highlighted the thrill of racing in one of the world's biggest metropolises, while Stolf pointed out her excitement for tackling the city's high-speed bike segment.
Meanwhile, Mariana Borges—fourth in the 2025 edition and a recent top-4 finisher at IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba 2026—is counting on her prior knowledge of the course and transitions to mount an even more aggressive challenge: with the key landmarks mapped out, her goal is to push the pace right from the start.
Men's battle and favorable weather
In the men's field, defending 70.3 Curitiba champion and 70.3 Peru runner-up Fernando Toldi arrives recharged for his second appearance in São Paulo. In 2025, Toldi finished fourth shortly after competing at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice; now well-rested, he aims to translate his bike power into a victory.
Making his debut in the capital, André Lopes shared his mix of anticipation and excitement about riding on expressways completely closed to urban traffic. Rounding out the lineup, Chile's Martin Ulloa welcomed the milder weather compared to the Rio de Janeiro race and highlighted the growing strength of the South American middle-distance circuit.