Search
shop

Nice is ‘not a normal IRONMAN’ – Mark Allen’s big World Championship tip for age-groupers

It's not just about the pros on the French Riviera this week - here's triathlon legend and coach Mark Allen's key pointers for age-groupers.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Mark Allen, the six-time Kona king with a perfect 10/10 record in Nice, has given us his detailed breakdown of the course the pros will face at the first ever IRONMAN World Championship to be held in the French coastal city this Sunday.

But a four-figure number of age groupers will also be battling for titles of their own on the same day and on the same roads.

So does the triathlon legend, who is now a well-respected coach, have any additional advice for them?

Advertisement

Going the distance

He told us: “I think one of the key things for everybody, including the age groupers, is going to be how well people manage their body.

“So you might see on the map, okay, these two aid stations are 15k apart or whatever. And so you’re gauging your effort based on riding 15k. Well, it’s very different riding 15k on your flat pace as opposed to riding 15k uphill.

“You might actually be on your bike twice as long and have twice as many heartbeats and use twice as many calories between one set of aid stations as you do another so it’s really going to be important for people to manage their nutrition.

“And the other thing, which probably people might not even think a lot about, is that you’re just going to be on your bike a lot longer than you are normally in an Ironman event.

“So if your ride is 20 minutes longer or 30 minutes longer than normal, you’re using that many more calories, which then could set you up for a deficit going into the marathon if you’re not careful, if you haven’t thought that all out.”

Ironman World Championship Nice 2023 bike course tunnel photo credit Donald Miralle for IRONMAN
[Photo credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN]

‘The real deal’

Mark drove around the course the day before we spoke to him and that underlined exactly what he highlighted in terms of time on the bike.

He explained: “We stopped at the turnaround point yesterday, 94k into it, and a guy from Denmark pulled up and he was clearly a solid age-grouper.

“He was doing the course and we said, how long did it take you to get here? And he goes three and a half hours. And we followed him for a lot of the way back. He was a good cyclist. I’m thinking this course is a real deal.

The bike course is absolutely stunning and beautiful.

“I just wish that everybody doing the race you could give them time for scenic view stops – like, okay, you can take a minute break here and just take a selfie with the chateau and the village in the background on the other side of the valley or whatever it is!

“Anybody who says – pro or age-grouper – ‘I don’t know if I want to go to Nice because Kona’s amazing’, they’re missing out, I have to say.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Anne Haug on inspiration ahead of comeback, sub-eight and no intention of retiring just yet
Caroline Pohle Ironman 70.3 Zell Am See 2024
CHAOS as Lena Meissner wins amazing sprint finish to become 70.3 European Champion and is then DEMOTED
Alistair Brownlee Nathan Edmondson Oxenhope Straw Race 2025
Olympic legend Alistair Brownlee dons Trump costume and downs pints in fundraising Oxenhope Straw Race
Sam Laidlow joy Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth hero Sam Laidlow thought he was in front for HOURS before taking lead
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth 2025 men’s results: INCREDIBLE comeback win for Sam Laidlow
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...