Sports
Yago Alves on the 70.3 Worlds in Nice and Altitude Training
The pro triathlete explains his Colombian training camp, climbing strategy in France, and 1:12 half marathon at the World Championship.
In an interview on the Stemma Podcast, pro triathlete Yago Alves broke down his altitude training camp in Colombia and his performance at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice. The Brazilian athlete evaluated his chaotic swim, strategic pacing on the bike, and a personal best in the half marathon.
Preparing for a triathlon World Championship requires fine-tuning and high-level strategic decisions. Before lining up at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, Yago Alves committed to a nearly four-week altitude training camp in Colombia. The professional triathlete traveled right after competing in Rio de Janeiro, continuing an altitude training routine that has been part of his sporting calendar since 2020.
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Four weeks of altitude and mountain climbs in Colombia
Accustomed to training stints in places like Ecuador and the United States in previous years, Yago structured his Colombian routine by sharing a house with other amateur and professional athletes. The daily dynamic required flexibility due to the schedule of the public 50-meter Olympic pool, available during set windows between mid-morning and early afternoon. Consequently, bike and run sessions were scheduled either before or after swim training.
A cornerstone of his preparation was hill strength work. The group tackled the La Unión climb about three times a week, a 20-to-21-minute ascent that took athletes from 2,100 up to 2,600 meters in elevation. This stimulus was tailor-made for the demanding elevation profile the Brazilian would face on the bike course along the French Riviera.
World Championship atmosphere and pro camaraderie
Yago arrived in Nice exactly one week before race day to adjust to the seven-hour time difference and complete course recons. Beyond the city's vibrant, race-centric atmosphere, the triathlete highlighted the exceptional support provided to the pro field by the organizers, from beach logistics to the comprehensive setup in transition and the finish area.
In the moments leading up to the start, being shoulder-to-shoulder with the sport's global heavyweights led to memorable experiences. Lining up alongside top international competitors, Yago experienced firsthand the unique blend of intense focus and relaxed camaraderie that defines pre-race briefings and athlete call-ups on the beach.
A chaotic swim and strategic comeback on the bike
In the water, the crowded mass start with limited space disrupted Yago's race dynamics. Facing heavy physical contact heading into the first buoy, the Brazilian lost contact with the second main chase pack, finishing the swim leg slower than his training recon splits.
His comeback took shape over the 90 km bike course. Knowing the profile favored athletes who manage effort and recovery effectively, Yago saved energy on the initial flat section and pushed hard on the steepest climbs, making up significant time on direct competitors. On the fast descent and false flat between kilometers 65 and 80, he took advantage of the terrain to spin easy, hydrate, and refuel.
A 1:12 run split and 38th in the world
Smart pacing over the final stretch of the bike allowed Yago to start the half marathon with fresh legs. His steady pace showed right from the opening 10 km, which he clocked in the high 34-minute range. Holding splits between 3:20 and 3:25 per kilometer while pacing with a French competitor, he surged past several athletes to finish the run in 1:12—his personal best over 21.1 km in a 70.3 race.
With an overall time of 4:11:48, Yago Alves crossed the finish line in 38th place overall, finishing as the top Brazilian in the race. Beyond leading his compatriots, the triathlete stressed that his standing in the global rankings and a critical analysis of each discipline are the true metrics guiding his continuous development in elite triathlon.
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