Mikel Elgezabal signed by BH

2011 was a great year for Mikel Elgezabal, with victories in the Ironman 70.3 UK and the Bilbao Triathlon. After his recent addition to the BH Team, the Biscayan triathlete hopes that this new season will be even more successful and, especially, achieve a good position in the European Championship in Frankfurt and gain a foothold in the Kona Ironman.

Here is an interview conducted by BH:

Are you a biking enthusiast. In fact, it was in this sport that you began to compete. Later, you dedicated yourself to duathlon and now you are part of the triathlon elite. What caught your attention the most about this discipline?

Unfortunately, I couldn't continue cycling because the team I belonged to disappeared. I was young, and I got involved in this sport because it was related to cycling and it was also a sport that appealed to me. I was lucky to find some sponsors and I pushed forward.

Did the transition from cycling to triathlon cost you a lot?

Well, at first yes, especially the foot race. Being in cycling for so many years, my muscles worked differently, and I suffered several injuries, tendinitis and things like that... but little by little I started feeling better. Swimming wasn't too bad for me, and I also evolved in this segment little by little.

What do you think is the most beautiful thing about triathlon?

The most beautiful thing is that it allows you to change sports, and you don't have to be focused on just one, which makes training more enjoyable. And there are few sports that allow you to compete around the world like this, traveling is another of its strengths. Like the people you meet, most of them are very nice.

You have a very complete list of winners, is there a victory that you remember with special affection?

On an international level, the UK Half Ironman has been the most important triumph, but the second places in Zarautz or the victory in Bilbao, because it was at home and all the people who came to see me there, are the successes that fill me the most.

Now you are part of the BH Triathlon Team, what made you decide to sign for BH?

The truth is that BH's involvement with triathlon encouraged me a lot. He is helping a lot to the people who are dedicated to this sport. In addition, I have competed in cycling for many years with BH bicycles, with which I have achieved great results. I hope this year continues to be so.

Have you had the opportunity to be with the rest of your colleagues?

I have coincided in many races with Eneko and I get along very well with him. For me he is one of the best triathletes in the world, a reference at a national and international level. I also know Nico, and in Lanzarote I have coincided with the Olympic people. I have had very good dealings with everyone.

You have the G5, the Aero and the Lynx. What would you highlight about these models?

The G5 is very good, it is a very versatile bike. I am testing the Aero now and the frame is spectacular, I have adapted very well to this model and I ride very comfortable on it. The one that I am going to use the most, in long distance competitions, will be the Aero. With the G5 I will do some short distance tests, and it will also be a key pillar in my training. Also, I am waiting to receive the Lynx, I really want to try it because all the references that I have received about it are very good.

How would you define yourself as a triathlete? What are your strengths and those in which you think you have room for improvement?

After so many years as a cyclist and riding well in that field, I think my strong point is and will continue to be the bike. However, this is going to be my sixth year in triathlon, and I am spending more time training for running and swimming, where I still have room for improvement. I hope to take another step this year and get closer to the people in front in international events.

How is the season going? What is your main objective?

I have several challenges. The first, to try to repeat the victory in Bilbao, and also opt for the victory in Zarautz, where I have already achieved several second places. Other important points of the season will be the Ironman 70.3 in the UK, where I will also seek to revalidate first place, and the European Championship in Frankfurt. I want to qualify for the Kona World Championship, which this year is going to have a lot of impact with the participation of Armstrong, and try to be among the 50 best in the world.

What advice would you give to a person starting out in this world?

Be patient and start easy, because triathlon is a sport that requires a lot of sacrifice and perseverance. You should not set a very demanding goal in the short term, since the results and improvements take time to arrive. And keep going, it's a very nice sport.

The training routine and training hours will depend on whether or not you have a test nearby. But, what can you tell us about your preparation?

I train by volumes during the week depending on the test I attend, from training sessions of almost 40 hours a week to 20 hours or less. It depends on the objective and date.

Do you combine indoor and outdoor training? Do you usually use BH Fitness machines?

Yes, I combine outdoor and indoor training. I usually do specific training on BH Fitness indoor machines in the gym, especially for very fast runs, using the treadmill, and high-powered bike sessions. Soon I will have a BH Fitness machine for home, I really want to have it on hand and be able to train with it. I think that this type of apparatus is very important in a preparation.

With all the hours you dedicate to training, we imagine that you will have little time for leisure alternatives. In any case, what are your hobbies?

This sport requires rest periods that do not leave me much room to dedicate to a hobby. At the most, going to the movies, being with friends, walking with my wife... I don't think anyone who is training for many hours at an elite level has many hobbies or, at least, really wants to do something else after training.