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Luca Ascenço Reviews Nice Worlds and Targets IRONMAN 70.3 SP
After a hydration miscalculation in France, the triathlete channels his peak fitness toward redemption in São Paulo.
Fresh off the World Championship in Nice, Luca Ascenço reflects on key lessons learned in Europe and explains his decision to line up for IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo just one week later.
Fresh off the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, Luca Ascenço arrived in Brazil with an unexpected plan: lining up at the start of Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo just one week after racing in France. The son of Brazilian triathlon legend Santiago Ascenço, the young athlete spoke to Stemma Sports coverage about his European training block, the lessons learned at the world championship, and the competitive dynamic within his own family.
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The Hydration Lesson at the Nice World Championship
Preparing for Nice was the focal point of Luca's season. He spent five weeks in Girona, Spain, training at a high level and scouting the course in advance. However, despite arriving in peak physical condition, a strategic oversight proved costly in the scorching European heat exceeding 35°C.
In an attempt to save weight on the bike, Luca started with minimal water and ended up losing his bottle along the way. With the next aid station still far off, he went over an hour without fluids in sweltering heat and high humidity, leading to dehydration and a sharp drop in performance. Nevertheless, he views making this kind of mistake early in his long-distance career as essential experience for future races.
The Girona Advantage and World-Class Competition
Racing at the World Championship also provided a benchmark against the best athletes on the international circuit. Luca highlighted the eye-opening power output of top competitors on the bike and emphasized the value of his training block in the Spanish cycling hub.
According to Luca, training in Girona elevates any athlete to another level thanks to the rich local sports culture, drivers' respect for cyclists on the road, and daily interaction with dozens of endurance pros, which naturally fuels extra motivation.
A Last-Minute Call for 70.3 São Paulo
Competing at IRONMAN 70.3 São Paulo was not originally on Luca's schedule. Still adapting to the recovery demands of long-distance racing after transitioning from short-course events, his initial plan was to avoid back-to-back race weekends.
Frustration over his result in Nice, coupled with the confidence that his fitness was at its peak, prompted Luca to change his flights and secure a spot in São Paulo. The milder weather in the Brazilian metropolis also played into his decision to pursue a clean race and make the most of his training block.
Family Rivalry and Partnership
Although Santiago Ascenço is not on the start list in São Paulo, Luca reflected on racing alongside his father. Their dynamic blends the natural rivalry of competitive athletes with mutual support—from sharing nutrition on the course to tracking each split—serving as lasting inspiration for his triathlon journey.
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