Triathlete Yago Alves Details Preparation for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio
The professional athlete shares insights into his performance, ambitions, and journey to the Nice World Championship.
Professional triathlete Yago Alves discusses his progress in the first half of the year and his preparation for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio. He shares his expectations for the Rio race and his plans for the Nice World Championship. The athlete also details his strategy and current physical condition.
During the coverage of the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro, Stemma Sports hosted triathlete Yago Alves for an exclusive interview. Conducted by Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura, the conversation explored Yago's recent performances, his current form, and his ambitious goals for upcoming competitions, including the highly anticipated Nice World Championship.
First Half Review: Evolution and Preferences
Yago Alves began the conversation by offering a positive review of his first semester, describing it as a period of continuous evolution. He mentioned that while races like Curitiba and Brasília didn't find him in his initial best form – as the focus was on the middle of the year – there was significant growth in his performance. This progress culminated in good results in Olympic distances, including a victory and close contests with top finishers in events like Saborezi and Metrópoles.
His participation in IRONMAN Brasil was another "test" of preparation. Yago explained that the plan was to focus on swimming and try to finish the cycling, but a less-than-ideal day and specific preparation for other races limited his experience. He admitted that the full distance race hasn't captivated him yet, joking that perhaps he'll only feel ready for that challenge in 2028.
When asked about his favorite distances, Yago was emphatic: his clear preference lies with non-drafting Olympic distance and, especially, the IRONMAN 70.3, distances where he feels his performance is more aligned.
IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro: Confidence and Strategy in the Marvelous City
The Rio de Janeiro race is one of Yago's major goals. He highlighted that his training cycle remained intense and productive after IRONMAN Brasil, with excellent preparation blocks. The athlete feels he is in the best shape of the year for the competition, and this confidence is primarily driven by his evolution in running, which he believes will be the decisive factor for the race.
Regarding the swim at Copacabana Beach, a section known for its varied conditions, Yago expressed a desire for the race to proceed normally, without cancellations or shortenings. He specifically hopes that wetsuits won't be allowed, as he believes the water temperature will be favorable, benefiting him and allowing him to swim "in his style."
Compared to his 7th place finish last year, Yago aims for a significant improvement in his ranking. He noted that the absence of some strong competitors from 2022, combined with his own physical development, creates a promising scenario. The cycling strategy involves trying to stay with the main group, which should include names like Reinaldo, André, Danilo, and Enzo. The goal is to build the largest possible lead before strong runners, like Jonathan, can catch up, demonstrating the importance of efficient transition and energy management. Yago also highlighted the "choppy" nature of the Rio cycling course, with many position changes and tunnel passages, which demand a lot from the athlete.
Nice World Championship and Future Plans: International Challenges and Altitude
After the commitment in Rio, Yago's focus immediately shifts to the Nice World Championship. He is very excited about the opportunity, as the starting list is full of big names in world triathlon. Yago sees the race as a "reality check" and a chance to "climb two levels" in his career, in addition to already aiming for a spot next year.
Preparation for Nice will include a period of altitude training in Colombia, starting right after the Rio race. This strategy aims to optimize his performance not only for the World Championship but also for the São Paulo race, where he expects to achieve even better results after this phase of acclimatization and intensive training.
The strategy for the World Championship will be bold: to have the swim of his life, push the bike to the maximum with the main group ("as far as possible"), and manage the run with intelligence and patience, given the extremely high level of competition.
Yago Alves's journey reflects the passion and dedication required by high-performance triathlon. His analyses and expectations for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio and the Nice World Championship offer an inspiring perspective on the relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement in the sport. Good luck, Yago, on your journey to the podium!