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Luciano Taccone Evaluates Ironman 70.3 São Paulo Strategy
After overcoming injuries and an intense season, the Argentine triathlete targets victory in a fast São Paulo race.
Argentine triathlete Luciano Taccone outlines his preparation for Ironman 70.3 São Paulo following a demanding, injury-plagued season. Known for his aggressive bike split, he breaks down the race conditions and his competitive goals.
Champion of Ironman 70.3 Brasília and runner-up in the previous edition of the São Paulo event, Argentine professional triathlete Luciano Taccone arrives at Ironman 70.3 São Paulo focused on contending for top honors. The 2024 season brought significant ups and downs for the athlete, marked by a crash in Colombia that hindered his performance at Ironman Brazil in Florianópolis and forced adjustments to his schedule.
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Recovery and focus on the race
His quest for a Kona World Championship slot in Florianópolis ended in a forced DNF, a direct consequence of the previous crash. Taccone attempted to qualify again at Ironman Kalmar in Sweden, a Pro Series stop, but felt the accumulated physical fatigue. Accelerating his return to training to arrive strong in São Paulo, he had to carefully manage intensity to prevent further muscular setbacks.
While acknowledging that he is not arriving in the exact same physical form as last year, Taccone highlights that the previous injury has fully resolved. His focus over recent weeks centered on prioritizing recovery and consistent training to line up healthy and competitive on race day.
Fast swim pace and an attack on the bike
For the race in the capital of São Paulo, the Argentine expects different dynamics compared to the previous edition. With cooler water temperatures and a likely wetsuit-legal swim, the Olympic rowing lane course will likely produce faster swim splits. Taccone points to strong swimmers on the start list, such as Chile's Vicente Trewhela and athletes from Sesi, who are expected to dictate an aggressive pace from the opening meters.
On the bike, his primary weapon, the strategy remains aggressive. The athlete intends to use the bike leg to make a decisive move and establish the race before the final transition. Because his running volume was scaled back in recent weeks to protect his leg muscles, Taccone is relying on his cycling efficiency to neutralize faster runners on the pavement.
Bike setup and World Championship plans
In terms of equipment, Taccone made changes earlier this year and is racing with a 60-tooth carbon chainring from Carbon-Ti, maintaining the heavy gearing that suits his powerful riding style on flat courses.
Regarding his international calendar, the Argentine keeps a São Paulo victory as his immediate target. Looking ahead to the 70.3 World Championship, he favors the event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, particularly because it simplifies logistics should he also secure qualification for the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
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