Sprint is the shortest and fastest form of triathlon. Like all other versions of the sport, sprint is divided into three stages: swimming, cycling and running.
In this article you'll find a brief guide to help you prepare for the race and choose the most suitable wheels for your sprint bike.
Sprint triathlon: distance
What do we mean when we say sprint triathlon is "short"?
Sprint triathlon distances are as follows:
- 750 m swim;
- 20 km cycle;
- 5 km run.
It is therefore a shorter race than Olympic or Ironman triathlon, at least in terms of endurance.
How long does the race last?
Shorter distances, similarly shorter sprint triathlon times.
The average race lasts just over an hour: 65 minutes.
In comparison, an Olympic triathlon race takes approximately 96 minutes, and an Ironman 8 hours.
Super Sprint Triathlon
We said that the sprint triathlon is the shortest, but that's not quite true. There's also a Super Sprint triathlon:
- 400 m swim;
- 10 km cycle;
- 2.5 km run.
Training for sprint triathlon
Despite its shorter distances and times, the sprint triathlon is not actually the younger sibling of the Olympic or Ironman version. It's a different race, requiring specific training. A very short race in which you give your all in a short time, requires careful preparation, especially in terms of cardio and muscle strength. Very well trained athletes can maintain a pace that exceeds the aerobic threshold for the entire race: this is impossible to do in an endurance event, where you are forced to slow down.
What are the essentials in a sprint training schedule?
When training for a sprint triathlon, you need to work on speed and interval training above the aerobic threshold, but also focus on strength. These two aspects are essential to your race.
So your training schedule should always include sessions in the gym or combined training (swim+bike or bike+run). The best option is to rely on a personal trainer.
There should be at least 3 sessions a week, and it's also 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 plenty of carbohydrates. You shouldn't arrive at the starting line hungry, or you'll lack energy: carry biscuits or energy bars.
Wheels for sprint triathlon bikes
Sprint is a short but high-speed race, and the course may have bends or ups and downs.
The ideal wheels for this type of competition are medium to shallow-section, because they are easier to manage.
In fact, for sprint triathlon you need responsive wheels that are easy to manoeuvre and allow you to regain speed quickly after bends or braking.
Rigidity and lightness are the properties of carbon fibre, and it's no surprise that this is the perfect material for sprint triathlon bike wheels.
URSUS wheels
In the URSUS catalogue of triathlon wheels, you'll find the perfect solutions for the sprint, because they have all the characteristics we've mentioned:
- Shallow section
- Steerability
- Lightness
- Responsiveness
- Made in carbon fibre.
One of the best choices for this discipline is the MIURA TC37 DISC: racing wheels with a medium to shallow section of 37 mm, and extremely aerodynamic. They are designed to accommodate tubeless tyres and disc brakes (with a 28-mm wide rim), and are made in carbon fibre.
Tubeless tyres are a new trend in several cycling sports, and are also taking hold in triathlon. But if you're looking for a wheel with similar characteristics (shallow section, aerodynamic setup and manoeuvrability) for tubed tyres, we recommend the MIURA TR37.
In the design of the MIURA TC37 DISC and the MIURA TR37, our engineers had one aim: to create wheels that allow the athlete to pedal at full power for the entire race.
These characteristics make them perfect for sprint triathlon, for both professional and amateur athletes.
Why choose URSUS?
All our wheels and bike accessories are developed by the following process:
- We listen to feedback from pro and amateur athletes;
- We design a new product using innovative materials and advanced technologies;
- We produce an initial item for testing and fine-tuning in the lab;
- We make an initial prototype;
- Our professional and amateur ambassadors test the product on the road and help us to further improve it;
- We trial the end result before launching it on the market.
Our quality is guaranteed by ISO 9001 certification, while our focus on the environment is certified by ISO 14001.
Discover all the URSUS triathlon wheels
