Dear Athletes,
Today the World Triathlon Development team continue their pre-race analysis which is aimed to provide athletes and coaches with additional information on World Triathlon World Cup events. It is expected this additional information will complement the race organisers information to allow you to better prepare yourself for the event. It is also expected, the more information and understanding you can take into a race, the better you can perform.
This week’s preview is on the Miyazaki World Cup in Japan.
Miyazaki has a long history in World Triathlon events, although previous races have been contested over the standard distance. In 2022 a sprint distance event is planned. As a result, there are some significant changes to the course which you should be aware of.
Miyazaki Event Website - https://miyazaki-tri.com
Miyazaki event schedule - https://miyazaki-tri.com/schedule/
For those travelling to Miyazaki, please check the change in Japan travel VISA requirements (set to change on 11 October 2022). Check details here.
The Course
Swim
1 lap 750m swim, beach start into the ocean.
The water temperature is expected to be 21-22 degrees, so expected to be non-wetsuit.
Despite the swim being located in a harbour, the swim is typically very tough. The course is affected by swell and ocean chop that are messy rather than clean waves. The beach has a steep drop off from the shore, so there is minimal wading involved. It is important athletes spent some time in the days preceding the race getting used to the water conditions.
Athletes would be best advised to use a short stroke, given the conditions. Exiting the water should also be practiced, so standing at the correct time on exit is done well.
Tips –
- Make sure you attend the swim familiarisation pre-race, and keep checking the condition/tide at race times in the days prior to help to see what race days start times will provide.
- As always check the swim markings, sightings you can use and work out the best start position. Including the navigation return to shore and exit
- The start should be practiced.
Bike
4 Laps of 5km = 20km total
T1 -
From the swim athletes will need to run up the beach with a fairly long (over 1minute) run into T1. The transition area is uncomplicated.
The bike course is a clockwise direction, with a chicane to be negotiated out of transition. Athletes should check the immediate right and left out of T1, as in the past the Miyazaki course has had a number of sharp corners. Once out onto the bike the athletes make another right turn onto the highway, which is a fast section of the course. Wind direction should be checked because this is an exposed area of the course. the far turn on the highway, the course has a 180 degree turn. This turn appears to be tight, as it is only using one side of the road. Athletes should check this pre race. It is almost certainly a turn which should be entered into with 1 to 2 gear changes down so the exit speed can be maximised. The return to transition to complete each lap is fast, with some sharp corners to negotiate entering transition along with a small ramp. Check this approach pre race.
Tips -
- The most efficient way to run on soft sand is the tread in already compacted sand from previous footprints
Run
2 laps of 2.5km = 5km
The run is flat, predominantly along the foreshore area. Athletes should check for wind, as most of the run is exposed to the ocean front. The run is not technical, but there are areas where the course backs onto itself, so you can check to see how your competitors are faring throughout the run.
As is always the case, the last 1km and 500m into the finish chute should be checked to ensure it is run efficiently under pressure. Despite the run absent of gradients, this section of the race will be vital – as it always is. Changing pace, working sections that have prevailing winds and knowing when to break away will all be required if an athlete wants to do well.
To Summarise
Miyazaki, on paper, appears to be a simple race.
The swim will be a challenge.
There are no significant hills and despite a few turns on the bike and run, many of the technical elements have been removed in 2022 with the change from a standard to a sprint distance race.
The bike would be best ridden aggressively while also maximising the corners and areas that will slow large chasing bunches.
The run, as always, will be vital. The course will require athletes to understand how to adapt their run technique to move over the course well.
Athletes need to be prepared for an aggressive race for a top result.
View the video analysis here.
Have a great race!
Emma Carney (AUS)
