Search
shop

Pressure? No stress for Vasco Vilaça at Super League Munich

Portugal's Vasco Vilaça impressed with a silver medal winning performance at Super League Triathlon Munich
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

“Probably the standout performance of the day” was the verdict of Mark Buckingham in his assessment of the second place finish from Portugal’s Vasco Vilaça at Super League Triathlon Munich on Sunday.

11th just a week earlier over the Triple Mix format in London (when he had to ride Georgia Taylor-Brown’s bike after an issue with his own), the 2020 World Triathlon Championship silver medallist was on top form in Germany. At the head of affairs all day, he finished strongly on the run to push London winner, Hayden Wilde, down into bronze medal position as Matt Hauser took the top spot.

I spoke to Vasco shortly after that result, and he told me that the London experience was a key driver in his success this past weekend.

Favourite format

“I’d say from all the formats, this would be my favourite. Not only because it went well today, but it’s like ‘triathlon triathlon’, in the right order, and you really have to have the endurance throughout the whole race. It’s only small distances in each swim, bike and run, but we never stop, and so going into the second and third round you really start getting tired.

“I kind of just took everything that I could learn from the race in London that didn’t really go so well, and try to prepare myself in the best way possible in the week between, to perform as well as I could today. It turned out ok I’d say, very happy.”

vasco vilaca bike munich 2022
Photo Credit: Darren Wheeler – That Cameraman/SuperLeague

Never being far from the front – indeed, often leading the way on the bike – was central to his strategy and success, as he explained:

“I believe in Super League it really shows who the best triathlete is, because if you have a weak spot or weak point where you get left behind, it’s really hard to catch up again, almost impossible I would say.

“The Enduro is really about keeping in front, that’s what I learned from last weekend. I had a few mistakes there that I made, got dropped behind, and never could catch up again. It was about planning ahead really well, not making any mistakes, keeping in front and trying to control as much as I could throughout the race.”

vasco vilaca run munich 2022
Photo Credit: Darren Wheeler – That Cameraman/SuperLeague

Under pressure

From the outside looking in, small mistakes are easy to spot. While the ‘armchair Quarterback’ role is a simple one, how difficult is it to actually apply within the race, when the pressure is on and there are nine back-to-back disciplines to optimise, and keep yourself in the race for as long as possible?

“Yes, many times the problem is when you make a mistake and get left behind. You get a couple of seconds behind or miss the front group, and then you can get so stressed trying to catch up that you kind of forget about some of those details and then lose even more time as it pressures you into making mistakes.

“So staying in front and being in control, that means like trying to control the rhythm, so you don’t kill yourself too early, and have the energy to think through when you are on the run, like ‘ok, I’m going to go swimming now, when do I put the goggles on, the cap on, who are the good swimmers around me so I can take their feet’.

“Being in Super League it’s a lot about being able to control – although though your heart rate is almost 200 beats per minute throughout the whole race! – under pressure, being able to think through the details.”

Now up to fifth in the Super League Triathlon Championship Series points standings, don’t be surprised if Vilaça is challenging for the overall podium at the end of October.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
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
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 men’s results: Marquardt wins as defending champ EXPLODES on the run
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...