*** Interview with Italian Duathlete Giancarlo Candiano Tricasi ***
Hello Giancarlo,
in preview to Powerman Alsdorf in August 2021, we would like to introduce our athletes and get to know them:
Please, introduce yourself and highlight some important moments/successes as athlete.
First of all, thanks for having me here. My big pleasure. My name is Giancarlo Candiano Tricasi. I’m a former special forces captain, criminologist expert in criminal profiling and we can say semi-pro duathlete. My main job takes me few hours a day but I was able to deal with that building a solid training season during at least 8 months a year. I’ve been focused on writing books as an author during last year so I had the opportunity to be much quieter and get more training hours. Of course, if I’m not working mean I’m training.
In my life it is impossible to get bored. I’m 45 years old, so I would really try to extend my duathlete career as much as possible even if I am aware that this won’t last forever. This sport is very tough and therefore, it became very important to me to enjoy it. If you don’t do that so better give up and say bye bye. Definitely, NOT IN MY CASE. I’m not masochist but I love to suffer about that sport. My body can maybe give up sometimes but my mind is unbeatable. Looking backwards, I can see many beautiful memories, many good friends, lots of countries visited but specially amazing victories as well like ITU Abu Dhabi triathlon team relay with ITA team, 2 Powerman age group Asian championships in Malaysia, the biggest duathlon in the world. These events felt quite unbelievable and I suggest to participate in a Powerman to everyone who want to be part of an unique experience. I would like to keep training and racing till my body won’t allow me to do that anymore because I love it.
How did you become a duathlete?
Many year ago, I started like a triathlete but like many other athletes my swimming was not so fast (mean horrible) compared to biking and running. So I tough, “duathlon, why not?!” and then I fell in love with our tough but amazing sport. Thanks to my friend Giuseppe Castellaneta which was my first coach I started with some races in Europe and then in UAE but after that I decided to make a step forward: I had the opportunity to have Carlos Prieto as a coach for many years and at the end the hard work payed off. Personally, I think Carlos is one of the best coaches in the world and his results with super stars like Javier Gomez Noya, Pablo Dapena and few others are proof of that, so I had the opportunity to learn and improve a lot.
From your personal perspective, what is special about the run-bike-run format of Powerman World Series?
I personally love the Powerman World Series format for a few reasons and that’s why I always suggest to every duathlete to try it: The run 1 and run 2 have the same distance and on the biking is NON-DRAFTING. In Italy we say: “When the game became tough, the toughest men start to play”.
How often did you compete at Powerman Alsdorf and what is your personal highlight of this particular race?
In my opinion, Powerman Alsdorf is probably the best duathlon event in Europe so far. All the best athletes want to be over there. An amazing organization supported by a very warm spectators crowd make this venue an unmissable event. I can’t wait.
Have you participated in any other Powerman World Series races? If so, what is your „don’t-miss-race “?
I really would like to suggest once more the Powerman Malaysia Asian Championship. Fast and tough race. 4000 + duathletes. Unbeliveble, but there are many other amazing Powerman events in Europe and overseas, too.
Despite the current uncertainties of racing in 2021, do you have a competition schedule in mind?
Yes, or course. Few Powerman events are in my schedule this year, Powerman Alsdorf is one of the major ones. I really hope this horrible pandemic situation will end as soon as possible giving us our normal life’s back. I want to be positive and confident about that. We will overcome this difficult time.
What does a typical training week look like in your preparation for a Powerman race (approx. 2 months before the race)?
Nothing quite I guess hahahaha. You have to be ready to perform well in a Powerman race and that means to train hard and properly. I’m always in maintenance training but my real schedule usually begins 6 months prior the race with 18/20h a week including run, bike and gym with 1 day off. Of course, I would like to thank all my sponsors @pianetasportmassafra - @ffwwdwheels - @kask_sport – ADR computer, because without them it will not be possible.
Last but not least: What are your best advices for athletes who want to participate in a Powerman race?
Powerman is a format which I recommend to everyone who want to really enjoy the duathlon in all categories and levels. However, you should to be prepared for the race. Therefore, I recommend to train properly before the event and you will really enjoy it. The Powerman events never let you down.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights with us! We wish you the best for your individual and athletic goals.
We are excited to see you racing in Alsdorf on August 15th, 2021.
Thanks for having me. I can’t wait. Together we boost duathlon!
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