Carlos López: "The Portocolom Triathlon is an ideal test to start the season"

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The Spanish champion LD 2015 and winner of the IM Mallorca 2016 Carlos López tells us some of the most important aspects of the Portocolom International Triathlon.

On Sunday 8 April April will be the XXI edition of the International Triathlon of Portocolom, one of the oldest in Spain. The test will have two different distances where participants can choose whether to run the distance 111 (1km of swimming + 100 km of cycling + 10 km of running on foot) or sign up for the 55.5 short (500m of swimming + 50 km of cycling + 5 km of running on foot)

Carlos López, Balearic triathlete, is familiar with the Triathlon of Portocolom and tells us his impressions of this classic start of the season.

Good morning Carlos, the first thing we would like to know is how you are and how is the recovery after the serious abuse that you had a few months ago.

The truth is that it was a hard accident and the recovery has gone little by little. A few weeks ago I started swimming and also cycling, but I still do not run.

We are happy that the recovery is on track. The next 8 in April will be held a new edition of the Triathlon of Portocolom, proof that you have participated several times and that you know perfectly. What could you highlight us of your partitions in Portocolom?

The Portocolom Triathlon is an ideal test to start the season. Here in Mallorca the weather is good all year round, so at the beginning of April we can already compete perfectly in Portocolom.

In addition, there is always a lot of level with great international triathletes who live and train in Mallorca. Portocolom always is usually the starting signal in the triathlons every year, so we are all looking forward to compete and start the season in the best way.  

 How are the circuits of the Portocolom Triathlon?

Swimming is done in the bay and the port, where there are no waves and no currents, the 1.000 meters in which the segment consists of is really fast. Later the Cyclist circuit is closed to traffic with 2 turns to complete the 100km. Is a pretty flat circuit where you can roll trailer. Each lap includes the climb to the Sanctuary of San Salvador, about 5km at an average gradient of almost 7%. Finally, the foot race runs close to the sea to the lighthouse, there are two 5km laps until the final 10km is covered. There is also the option to run the short triathlon, with half of kilometers, 55.5.

What advice can you give us for the participants? How should each of the segments face?

As I mentioned earlier, swimming is done in an ideal place, in a flat sea, without currents. Here my advice is that first be placed well in the exit, those who are going to dispute in the first positions and who their goal is to finish better to put you in the back to avoid unnecessary blows. The 1000m pass very fast and when you least expect it you are already in the T1.  

In the cycling segment it is important to reserve, not over-prime and take care of food. The two climbs to Sanctuary of San Salvador take them calmly, since there you will not win the race and if you can force a lot you can pay it in the race on foot.

Finally you end up with 10km on foot, here is the time to squeeze the most. They are "only" 10km, that is, more than half of a medium distance triathlon, so we can run at a higher pace and risk to try to get the best possible goal.

In addition to the pure competition itself. Could you highlight something more of Triathlon Internacional de Portocolom?

As a father I also like to emphasize that there are competitions for children. On Saturday 7 TRIKIDS is celebrated for children of different ages.

Further information:   https://www.triathlonportocolom.net/