Sports
Reinaldo Colucci at IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília: Expectations and Preparation
The two-time Brazilian champion shares his insights and his quest for a tenth victory in Brasília.
Reinaldo Colucci, two-time Ironman Brazil champion, discusses his preparation for IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília 2026. He addresses race challenges, his rivalry with Luciano Tacone, and shares personal tidbits like his childhood idol and favorite soccer team. A complete look at the triathlete before one of the circuit's fastest races.
Hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura welcomed renowned professional triathlete Reinaldo Colucci, two-time Ironman Brazil champion and runner-up at 70.3 Curitiba, for an exclusive conversation live from the stage of the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília 2026. Colucci shared his expectations, lessons learned, and his quest for a redemptive performance in the federal capital.
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Redemption in Brasília: Challenges and Preparation
Reinaldo Colucci arrives in Brasília in excellent form after a strong result in Curitiba, but with memories of the previous edition of the race in the capital. In 2025, Brasília was his "most challenging race" of the season, marked by an early swimming issue and intense leg fatigue that compromised his performance. According to him, it was something "very specific" that never recurred, making this year an opportunity to change the narrative.
The Brasília race is known for being the fastest on the circuit, especially in cycling. Colucci mentioned that last year, the bike course raised concerns about amateur athlete traffic, particularly on L4, where the speed difference between professionals and amateurs (50 km/h vs. 30 km/h) created risky situations. He hopes that this year the organization has found solutions and plans to swim and bike faster to get ahead of the congestion. To achieve this, he invested in aerodynamic adjustments to his bicycle and improved his lactate tolerance.
Rivalry on the Course and Eyeing the Competition
When asked about his main rivals, Colucci did not hesitate to name Argentine Luciano Tacone as "the athlete to beat." He highlighted Tacone's incredible consistency, performing at a high level since late 2024, cycling under two hours and flying through the 2025 season. Colucci's clear goal is to overcome him, as he knows Tacone well, having trained alongside him and other names like Bras and Eduardo.
In addition to Tacone, Colucci mentioned a Swiss athlete named Sacha, who, despite never having competed directly against him, is known for strong swimming and cycling in short-distance races. Sacha could be a surprise and finish among the top contenders.
Stemma Quick-Fire Round: Colucci's Personal Side
In a lighthearted segment, Reinaldo Colucci shared some personal tidbits:
- Favorite Song: Enjoys listening to "Evidências" by Chitãozinho & Xororó, as well as Tião Carreiro, showcasing his country music roots.
- Favorite Superhero: Thor, to whom he dedicated a hammer sticker on his childhood bicycle.
- Soccer Team: Palmeiras ("Go Palestra!").
- Favorite Post-Race Food: Hamburger has been his go-to lately.
- Longest Bike Ride: An impressive 240 km.
- Childhood Idol: Ayrton Senna, admired for his "will to always be first, always the best, always striving to evolve."
- Mother and Sports: He shared that his mother, contrary to cliché, encouraged him to train when he spent too much time at home.
With his tenth IRONMAN 70.3 victory in sight, Reinaldo Colucci demonstrates he's ready to face the challenges of Brasília and promises a strong performance. Sunday's race will be the stage for this determined triathlete to write a new chapter in his journey.
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