The Sprint Triathlon is the shortest and fastest race in the triathlon. Like all other disciplines in this sport, the sprint is divided into three phases: swimming, cycling, and running.
In this article, you'll find a quick guide to help you prepare for the race and choose the best wheels for your sprint bike.
Sprint Triathlon: distances
What do we mean when we say that the Sprint Triathlon is “short”?
The Sprint Triathlon distances are as follows:
- 750m swim;
- 20 km of cycling;
- 5km run.
It is therefore a shorter test than the Olympic Triathlon or the Ironman, at least as far as endurance is concerned.
How long does a race last?
Short distances, equally short Sprint Triathlon times.
The average duration of a race is just over an hour: 65 minutes.
For comparison, consider that an Olympic Triathlon takes about 95 minutes and an Ironman 8 hours.
The Super Sprint Triathlon
We've said that the Sprint Triathlon is the shortest competition, but that's an inaccuracy. There's also the Super Sprint Triathlon.
- 400m swim
- 10 km of cycling
- 2.5 km run
Training for the Sprint Triathlon
Despite its shorter distances and times, sprint triathlon is by no means the little brother of the Olympic discipline or the Ironman. It's a different kind of race, requiring specific training. A short race, where you give it your all in a short amount of time, requires well-calibrated preparation, especially in terms of cardio and muscular strength. Particularly trained athletes maintain paces above their aerobic threshold throughout the race: a feat that's decidedly impossible in endurance disciplines that force you to slow down.
What should not be missing from your sprint training plan?
To train for the Sprint Triathlon, you need to work on speed and push past your anaerobic threshold at intervals, as well as strength training. These are the two key aspects of competing.
So your workout plan should always include gym sessions and combined workouts (swimming/cycling or cycling/running). Ideally, you should have a personal trainer.
Training sessions should be at least three times a week, and it's important to follow a balanced diet that provides the body with all the energy it needs. A few hours before the race, it's a good idea to eat a good carbohydrate intake. You shouldn't arrive at the start of the race feeling hungry, otherwise you might run out of energy: bring some cookies or energy bars with you.
Wheels for Sprint Bikes in Triathlon
The Sprint is a short but high-speed course and the route may also feature curves or ups and downs.
The ideal wheels for participating in this competition are medium-low profile wheels, because they have greater handling.
In Sprint Triathlon, in fact, you need a reactive wheel, which is easy to steer and which allows you to recover speed immediately in case of braking or corners.
Stiffness and lightness are the characteristics of carbon, which is not coincidentally the perfect material for Sprint Triathlon bike wheels.
The URSUS wheels
In the URSUS wheel catalog dedicated to Triathlon, you will find wheels that are perfect for Sprint, because they have all the features we have already described:
- Low profile
- Driveability
- Lightness
- Reactivity
- Made of carbon.
One of the best choices for this discipline are the MIURA TC37 DISC wheels: 37mm medium-low profile racing wheels that are extremely aerodynamic. They are designed to accommodate tubeless tires and disc brakes (with a 28mm rim width) and are made of carbon.
Tubeless is a new trend in several cycling sports and is also gaining ground in triathlon. But if you're looking for a wheel with similar characteristics (low profile, enhanced aerodynamics, and handling) to tubulars, we recommend the MIURA TR37 .
From the design to the construction of the MIURA TC37 DISC and MIURA TR37 , our engineers have pursued one goal: to create wheels that allow the athlete to pedal at maximum power throughout the race.
These features make them perfect for Sprint Triathlon, for both professional and amateur athletes.
Why choose URSUS?
All our wheels and bike accessories are made following this workflow:
- We listen to feedback from pro and amateur athletes;
- We design a new product using innovative materials and advanced technologies;
- We create an initial product that we test and improve in the laboratory;
- We produce a first prototype;
- Our professional and amateur ambassadors test it on the road and help us improve it further;
- We test the final result before releasing it to the market.
Our quality is guaranteed by ISO 9001 certification, while ISO 14001 attests to our attention to the environment.
