Interview with Roberto Sánchez Mantecón: "Oceanside will be key to measuring my middle-distance level."
"Qualifying for the World Championships in Marbella would be very special for me."
A few days before competing in the HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 Oceanside 2025, we have had the opportunity to talk with the Valencian triathlete Roberto Sánchez Mantecón.
After an intense Olympic cycle, Roberto now faces the challenge of taking on the great middle- and long-distance specialists with clear goals and a lot of enthusiasm.
What motivated you to compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, facing off against top middle- and long-distance athletes?
The main thing has been to take advantage of the current slowdown in the calendar of the World Triathlon Series.
Also, I have as objective to qualify for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. It's a race I'm especially excited about because it's held in Spain, and I think the circuit is well-suited to my abilities.
Oceanside and Valencia are the only events that fit into my schedule to pursue this qualification, so I didn't hesitate to sign up.
After the intense 2024 Olympic season, how have you approached your preparation to adapt to this very different event?
After the Olympics, I took a short break to reset a bit, and then started the usual preparation.
Initially I focused on the first two events of the year, Abu Dhabi and Napier, both sprint distance events.
There, I prioritized intensity over volume. Now, for Oceanside, I've been able to add more volume in recent weeks, including two or three sessions a week on the time trial bike.
I've also started training at half-Ironman-specific paces at least once a week, so the adaptation has been gradual and careful.
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What are your expectations for this career?
I am aware that Oceanside will be a really demanding test, with a level almost comparable to that of a world championship.
My strategy is to try not to lose too much ground in the cycling segment, although I know I may not be able to keep up with the strongest.
My bet is on a conservative bike race and relying on my running strength to make up positions. If I can get off the bike in a good position, I think I can compete with the best.
Have you changed anything in your usual training to improve in the middle-distance cycling segment?
The most important thing for me has been to adapt well to the position of the bike against the clock.
For the past three or four weeks I've been doing dedicated sessions with the goat two or three days a week, increasing the overall volume on this bike.
Plus, almost all of my intensity training lately has been on the time trial bike. I think this change has been key to being ready for Oceanside.
How much do you think your cycling performance will influence your final result in Oceanside?
A lot. I know it's crucial not to let myself go too far, but I don't want to take excessive risks either.
The key for me is to minimize losses and stay close enough to take advantage of my potential in the run. If I manage the bike well, I can have a clear chance of achieving a good result.
What are your main short- and medium-term sporting goals after Oceanside?
After Oceanside, I'll be competing in IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia just three weeks later.
Afterwards, I will be carrying out a specific training camp to get back into the rhythm of the World Series, competing in Alghero (Italy) and Hamburg.
In the second half of the year, I want to fight for a good position in both the World Series and the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, if I manage to qualify.
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