Presented the most special edition of the Portocolom Triathlon

Today the most special and long-awaited edition in the history of the Portocolom Triathlon, which this Sunday celebrates its silver anniversary and remains the oldest triathlon of the Balearic Islands.

This test, which year after year is the unofficial start of the triathlete season at the European level, will bring together more than 20 elite triathletes in this beautiful town of Felanitx (Mallorca) who will fight for victory.

Great lineup of professionals

Among these, the names of the Mallorcan Mario Mola, three-time world champion and official ambassador of the Portocolom Triathlon, in the 55.5 distance, and the return of the four-time champion of the 111 distance, the Belgian Michael Van Cleven, who will seek his fifth win against last year's winner, the Swede Robert Callin, or the locals Joan Nadal, Miguel Ángel Fidalgo and Miguel Fernández Miniño, among others.

Among the females there will be a nice competition between Caroline Livesey and Eloise duLuart, and the expected return of the German Rebecca Robisch.

In total, there will be 600 participants from up to 25 different nationalities between the two tests. 40% of the total are foreigners, and women account for 20% of all those registered.

Official presentation

Professional triathletes attended the press conference, which today served as the starting signal for the special events this weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary. Alejandro Santamaría, Michael Van Cleven and Caroline Livesey; as well as institutional representatives Jaume Monserrat (Mayor of Felanitx), Michael Pastor (director of the Fundació Mallorca Turisme), Damià Vallsdegodparents (village mayor of Portocolom), Joan Aznar (Councillor of Felanitx Esports), Pere Antoni Mascaro (councilor of Tourism), Catalina Soler (first deputy mayor of Felanitx), Climent Garau, (president of the Club Náutic de Portocolom), Jaume Vicens (race director) and Ignasi Colom (President of the FETRIB).

Several years chosen the best of the Baelar Islands

Year after year, the Portocolom Triathlon has been valued by Balearic triathletes as the best of the autonomous community, and it takes place this Sunday starting at 8:45 a.m., with the start of distance 111, with its 1.000-meter swim, 100km of cycling and 10km of running.

Starting at 11 a.m. it is the turn of the participants of the 55.5 distance (500 meters of swimming, 50 kilometers of cycling segment and 5.000 meters of running). Swimming will be in the Portocolom bay between sailboats, crystal clear waters and no waves.

The cycling segment will take place on a 50km circuit going up the mythical Puig de Sant Salvador and the foot race will once again take the triathletes to the famous lighthouse of the town, which is only open on the day of the event for the enjoyment of the athletes.

The goal is located in the heart of the Club Náutic de Portocolom after touring the streets of this beautiful, typically Mediterranean town.

25 YEARS OF HISTORY: ACTIVITIES

In these 25 years of history of the event, the felanitxer Jaume Vicens He has been and is the alma mater of the event, a pioneer of this sport in the Balearic Islands and a passionate visionary much loved by all.

Keep being him test director, since July 19, 1998, when only 30 athletes jumped into the water in the first edition.

The test has gone through different stages, always in continuous evolution and transformation, always organized almost by hand and with great care, this being the basis of its success.

The Portocolom Triathlon will commemorate its 25-year career with a commemorative exhibition of its history in the finish area, and some improvements have been added to the cycling route to increase the safety and comfort of the participants.

The post-finish area moves to the Toni Peña municipal pavilion, and the expo and other events move to the Sa Sínia-Francisca Caldentey Roig municipal building.

On Saturday, April 1, starting at 9:30 a.m., the “TriKids” duathlon for minors with the highest participation in the Balearic Islands will be held in the same area as the Portocolom Triathlon.

MARIO MOLA and ALEJANDRO SANTAMARIA, LUXURY AMBASSADORS

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the most universal Mallorcan triathlete, the three-time world champion Mario Mola, he will once again be an ambassador of the test, as he did in 2022, when he unquestionably won the 55.5 distance.

Another classic in this test, the mythical Alejandro Santamaría, He will compete again in Portocolom (test that he has done on several occasions, the last in 2012) and also becomes an ambassador.

MICHAEL VAN CLEVEN IS BACK

The true king of Portocolom is Michael Van Cleven.

The Belgian managed four consecutive victories in the distance 111 and he returns to Mallorca to continue making history in his favorite competition to face the winner of 2022 and who holds the current record of the test, the Swede Robert Kallin, who is the main favorite again.

The elite list that will accompany these two triathletes is very powerful again, with the Balearic Joan Nadal, Miguel Ángel Fidalgo y Miguel Fernandez Miniño among others, accompanied by international pro triathletes such as Jarmo Rissanen, Timothy Van Houtem, Niccolo Bombonatio Mark Livesey.

The women's event will be more exciting than ever. The last minute drop in Switzerland Emma Bilham, will leave a competition very open to the British Caroline Livesey y Eloise DuLuart, the German rebecca robisch or the Belgian Alexandra Tondeur.

The Paralympic triathlete will also start Alejandro Sánchez Palomero competing in the distance 55.5.

The Portocolom Triathlon is organized by Kumulus and the Club Triatló Portocolom, with the support of the Felanitx City Council and with the sponsorship of the European Union Next GenerationEU, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the Agency of Tourism Strategy of the Government of the Balearic Islands (AETIB) and the Fundació Mallorca Turisme.

More information  www.triathlonportocolom.net