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 -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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...