Interview with Rubén Ruzafa: "Until the Xterra 2015 Triathlon World Championship I had 2 years without losing, I knew that time would come, and that was the day"

We interview Ruben Ruzafa from Malaga to find out how he plans this season and whose goal is marked

 

 

In 2014 you signed a perfect year (in what refers to crossover triathlon) earning everything you ran, and last year the season was just as perfect ... until the T2 X-Terra World Cup What happened to you in the race walking?

If even the Xterra 2015 World Cup had 2 years without losing, I knew that this moment would come, and that was the day.

In the race on foot of that race what happened to me was a simple performance slump, I could not go faster, the minutes fell quickly. Apparently it was fine, but the week before I was sick with a fever and had to take antibiotics to cure it quickly.

In the race I got the margin of 1'40 in the T2 thanks to getting off the bike fast, but everything came running and I felt empty. The truth that satisfied by the management of the race.

Of all the 2015 victories, which was the most important for you? And the race where you enjoyed the most?

The most important was the ITU Triathlon ITU World Championship in Sardinia. I value it very much because I had to demand the maximum to win it and it went well.

In the race I enjoyed the most was Xterra France, for the atmosphere that there is every year and how special it is to race there.

You have competed in many countries. What is your favorite test and why?

The Xterra World Championship in Maui is my favorite, because it is special to run there. Nothing else to land on the island breathes something special, the technical and hard circuits, the smells, the ocean ...

Even so, Xterra France is the one I love the most and I have many Xterras left to run around the World, like Xterra South Africa, which they say is very good.

What kind of triathlons do you prefer to run, in fast, technical or hard circuits?

Hard and technical triathlons are my favorite and those that adapt better to me. But hardness and demand with sense, not by putting.

Rubén Ruzafa winning an Xterra test

The IM of Hawaii in Kona is mythical for being the first IM in history, to be the world and everything that surrounds "Mecca". The X-Terra on Maui is not as well known, although more and more Spaniards are going to run it. Can you tell us a bit about the days before? And the competition itself? What could you highlight us about your journey?

As I said before, Xterra Maui is very special, since the competition atmosphere starts to live on Wednesday.

To settle in the apartment, to swim in the Kapalua beach and to take out the numbers to enter the circuits is the first thing. The nerve center is in a Hotel Ritz Carlton Kapalua, in its gardens is the transition and where to start the mtb and foot circuits.

The previous days are based on studying the circuits, choosing covers and developments, strategy ... besides enjoying the good atmosphere, the island, and the different activities organized by Xterra for participants and companions.

The circuits run through jungle area, every year it rains something and we find muddy areas, this makes choosing covers is not easy. They are hard, with a lot of path and with so many curves that learning it is a titanic task.

I like them, they are different from any other.

You have a very complete team, with 4 professionals who work with you to improve year after year, Mikel Zabala in cycling, Guillermo Mediano for swimming, Cristóbal Sánchez for the race on foot and Rafa López Cazorla as a psychologist. Could you highlight how they work with you?

Yes, I'm really lucky to have people like them by my side. Each of them contributes his knowledge in his field, respecting the field of others and with the humility of knowing that each part has a great importance in the final result.

We usually meet in December to have a good time together, celebrate the achievements, see what we can improve and establish what we will work for next season.

Currently swimming and foot have priority, to improve as much as possible.

At the end of the week, Guillermo Mediano, with whom I see myself 2 times a week, sends the trainings. Then I send Mikel my Excel, where I show my weekly schedule: family commitments, sports, sponsors ..., after that in a telephone conversation, we organize the sessions and the trainings.

Cristóbal Sánchez brings to Mikel the line of work of the race on foot, technique, series and others.

With Rafa Lopez, on the plane of psychology, I have a daily job that I do at home and we usually see once a week to put points in common. It is a key work for the day to day and for the competition.

Rubén Ruzafa on BTT

What are your main objectives for 2016? Do you plan on returning to a triathlon on the road?

In addition to the improvement as an athlete and person, the Xterra World Championship in Maui and Itu cross triathlon in Australia are my 2016 objectives.

I have Zarautz in mind, I hope the injuries respect me and I can do it at last.

And facing this new season, what are your main sponsors?

I am very proud of the sponsors who support me, these are Specialized in bicycles, components and cycling equipment, the Malaga avocado and mango company Trops, Costa del Sol, Castelli in competition and training clothing, Roberto glasses, the Skechers brand in sneakers, and the SentireNatura brand of natural products.

Thank you very much for the interview Rubén, we wish you the best in 2016 ... and above all you can regain the world crown in Maui

Thank you

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