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 -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

“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.

Advertisement

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
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...