Search
shop

Javier Gomez: In it for the long game as he targets St George and beyond

It's all change in 2022 for triathlon legend as he looks to make his mark at Ironman distance.
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Javier Gomez, one of triathlon’s all-time greats, is now fully focussed on returning to the world of Ironman.  

A five-time World Triathlon champion and two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, he’s also won an XTERRA World title as well as the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in 2019.

The Spaniard made his full-distance debut back in 2018, when second to Braden Currie at the Asia-Pacific Championship, but it’s only now that he’s concentrating fully on the non-drafting, middle and long distance formats.

“I am not going to do anymore ITU most likely,” he confirmed in an interview with Bob Babbitt.

Speaking on ‘Breakfast with Bob,’ the 38-year-old talked in detail about learning to race at long distance, his current training programme, his new coach and the main goals for the year.  

Advertisement

Different approach

First off, he was adamant that racing at Ironman distance cannot be compared to shorter distance triathlon, saying: “It is almost a different sport.”

He revealed that he has now changed his training programme as a result and is ‘doing things properly’ compared to that 2018 bow.  

He said: “It doesn’t matter how good you are over short distance – it doesn’t matter if you can run a 28:34 10km – that is not going to help you at all. 

“[If] it’s hot and you are exhausted – it requires a different type of preparation, I learned that the hard way and I am training differently now. And I am getting much better at things like nutrition.

“I am not a young kid anymore, but I think I am doing things properly and I think I can still do much better than I did in 2018.” 

Encouraging start

After nine years under the guidance of Carlos Prieto, Gomez opted for a change and hired Dan Plews as his new coach at the start of 2022, pointing to the Briton’s expertise in Ironman training. 

It was a successful start for the pair as well, with Gomez winning his first race under Plews’ stewardship at IRONMAN 70.3 Pucón earlier this month, taking control on the run and finishing nearly two minutes quicker than Lucino Taccone in second. 

With the likes of Olympic champions Alistair Brownlee – who beat Gomez in an epic race at London in 2012 – and Kristian Blummenfelt both moving into IRONMAN distances recently, it adds yet another layer to a fascinating long-distance landscape.

PORT ELIZABETH - SEPTEMBER 2: (L-R) Winner Podium of 2nd Place Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain, 1st Place Jan Frodeno of Germany and 3rd Place Javier Gomez Noya of Spain celebrate on the winner's podium during the Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Men in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on September 2, 2018. Over 4,500 athletes from over 100 countries will be represented in this years 70.3 World Championship. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN).
Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN

“The level in long distance is incredible at the moment, we have so many incredible athletes stepping up from ITU,” agreed Gomez.

“It is going to be interesting, but I am just focusing on myself. I try to show my full potential in the race and then see what happens.” 

Looking back to his 2022 bow in Chile, Gomez said: “For the first race of the year it was really good. I am training with Dan Plews now and he is helping me a lot, so I am excited. I am learning so many things that I will need in long distance and I think I will be more efficient in the next races.”  

And he had no hesitation in nominating his first “big goal” – the rescheduled IRONMAN World Championship at St George in May.

Written by
Joe Duckers
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...