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Miguel Hidalgo Eyes Power Record at Ironman 70.3 Curitiba
Focused on the short-course world circuit, the Olympic triathlete fine-tunes his TT bike to race at home.
Ahead of Ironman 70.3 Curitiba, Miguel Hidalgo details the TT bike adjustments that eliminated his cramps and shares his aggressive race strategy. The Olympic triathlete also breaks down the transition between the World Triathlon circuit and the middle distance.
The presence of Miguel Hidalgo made waves ahead of Ironman 70.3 Curitiba. Balancing a tight international schedule on the World Triathlon Series (WTS), the Olympic triathlete took the opportunity in the capital of Paraná to race before a home crowd and test his progress in middle-distance racing.
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Fine-tuning the TT bike and targeting a power record
For the race in Curitiba, Hidalgo's biggest change lies in his time trial (TT) bike fit and setup. The athlete had been suffering from severe quadriceps cramps during previous training sessions and competitions in the discipline, such as at 70.3 Brasília and the Marbella World Championship. After pinpointing the biomechanical cause and dedicating roughly 80% of his recent base training to the TT bike, the issue was resolved.
The setup features a 58T single chainring paired with a 10-36 cassette, alongside wheels and a cockpit about 200 grams lighter. Under the guidance of coach Ortiz, the plan is to push hard from the swim and bike legs right from the start, aiming for a personal-best power output in a half-Ironman race, with expectations of finishing the bike split in or under 2h10.
The dynamics between the Olympic circuit and 70.3
Hidalgo also highlighted the contrasting demands between short and middle-distance racing. While WTS events impose immediate stress from the gun with an aggressive swim and unpredictable draft-legal pack dynamics, the 70.3 requires strict pacing, hydration, and nutrition control.
In the triathlete's view, long-course racing is unforgiving of fluctuations: if an athlete has an off day, the distance takes its toll on the clock, unlike short-course racing where tactical savvy and pack positioning can compensate for lower performance until the run.
Season outlook, Nice qualification, and world title focus
Despite securing points and a potential qualifying spot for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, Hidalgo stresses that his top priority remains the short-course world circuit. The main daily driver in his training routine continues to be the pursuit of becoming a World Triathlon champion.
Regarding the start of the international season, Hidalgo explained that he chose to cancel his flight to Abu Dhabi due to schedule uncertainties and geopolitical instability in the region, opting instead to prioritize safety and training consistency ahead of upcoming official races.
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