Jonathan Guisolan: Strategies for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio and the Kona Dream
The Swiss-Brazilian triathlete details his preparation and tactics for the Rio stage and his plans for the world championships.
In an exclusive interview, Jonathan Guisolan shares his expectations for the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro 2026. The athlete reveals how his experience in Floripa and training in Switzerland shaped his preparation. He also discusses the dynamics of the cycling course and his swimming, along with his ambitious goals for Nice and Kona.
Professional triathlete Jonathan Guisolan, known as the Swiss-Brazilian, was the special guest of Stemma Sports during the coverage of the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro 2026. In a chat with Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura, Guisolan shared his insights on the race, his preparation, and his ambitious future plans in triathlon. The interview highlighted the athlete's passion for Brazil and his strategies for the Rio challenge, which included aiming for an elite performance.
Returning to Brazil and Recent Performance
Jonathan Guisolan expressed his fondness for competing in Brazil, a reason he consistently returns. After stages in Brasília and Floripa, he decided to compete in Rio de Janeiro. His performance in the Full IRONMAN distance in Floripa was a highlight, being only his second full race, where he felt in control and recognized great potential for improvement, especially in cycling and running. Despite not being fully satisfied with his half-distance race results, consistency in the full distance encourages him, reinforcing the belief that he can go even faster.
After the Floripa race and before coming to Rio, Guisolan underwent a period of rest and an intense training block in Switzerland. He highlighted Europe's excellent climatic conditions during the summer, with plenty of heat and no rain, which allowed for long cycling sessions and optimized preparation. This period was crucial for improving his physical form for the upcoming challenges.
Strategies for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio
Competing for the first time in Rio de Janeiro, Jonathan Guisolan based his course reconnaissance primarily on YouTube videos, without having cycled on the Rio roads. He detailed his expectations and strategies for each discipline.
The Cycling Challenge
Jonathan is recognized as a cycling specialist, and his analysis of the Rio course revealed favorable and challenging points. The straight sections are ideal for him, as they allow him to maintain an aerodynamic position for longer, maximizing his strength. However, the route with many turns and U-turns could present difficulties. Athlete congestion in more technical sections or with many curves would require him to move out of the aerodynamic position, compromising his efficiency and demanding constant attention, which could impact his pace.
Swimming Dynamics and Transition
Regarding swimming, Guisolan expressed confidence, stating he was making great progress. He mentioned training with swimmer Gui Stojanovic in the race week, which made a notable difference in his water performance. While acknowledging Stojanovic's "next level," the contact boosted his improvement and increased his confidence. Jonathan expected to have his best swim in Rio. He also predicted the dynamics of exiting the water, betting that Cervelo and Vilarinho would be in the lead. His goal was to join the front group as quickly as possible to reduce the deficit before the bike leg, making it easier to chase the leaders.
Looking to the Future: Kona and Nice
With a guaranteed spot for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, Jonathan Guisolan remains focused on his biggest goals. Despite Nice being a prestigious race, the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona remains his main dream and the ultimate goal in his triathlon career. He showed determination to continue working to achieve qualification for the legendary Hawaiian event. Jonathan expressed his intention to return for more races in Brazil, demonstrating his appreciation for the national circuit.
With the blessings of hosts Fabio and Thiago, Jonathan Guisolan proceeded to the IRONMAN 70.3 Rio challenge, his mind focused on a top performance and his eyes set on the horizons of Nice and, eventually, Kona. His journey is a testament to the dedication and strategy required for high performance in triathlon.