"Lake swim and rolling countryside bike in Bordeaux, France."
🏊 Swim
Lake swim in Bordeaux
🚴 Bike
Rolling bike course around Bordeaux
🏃 Run
Run through Bordeaux
Transition Details
T1/T2 are in the same location · Surface: pavement
Weather
Typical conditions in Bordeaux
Registration
https://www.example.com/bordeaux-triathlon-70-3
The Story
Bordeaux, France. A 70.3 that doesn't trade on brand name alone — it trades on a course that demands specific preparation and rewards athletes who respect the distance. The 1.9km swim sends you into cold freshwater lake at 13°C — bracing — the kind of cold that sharpens focus. It's long enough that a poor start costs real time, short enough that strong swimmers can build a genuine lead. The 90km bike is the centrepiece: rolling with serious elevation terrain with 613m of climbing that never lets you settle. At 70.3 distance, the bike is where races are won and lost — 90km of rolling road demands constant effort management. The 21.1km run rolls through Bordeaux, adding 91m of climbing to legs already tested by the bike. The undulations are psychological as much as physical — each rise feels larger than it is when you've been racing for four hours. Half-iron done right: long enough to demand respect, short enough to race hard from start to finish.
"The swim wakes you up, the bike breaks you down, and the half-marathon shows you who you really are. That's 70.3 in Bordeaux."
What It Feels Like
A half-iron course in Bordeaux that suits a broad range of 70.3 athletes — the course is honest enough to challenge veterans and achievable enough for well-prepared first-timers. The city's wine-country elegance with a neoclassical backdrop extends to the race itself. Recovery is part of the experience: canelés and a glass of Saint-Émilion.
🏊 The Swim
A 1.9km freshwater lake swim at 13°C. No salt, no currents, no tide — just you and 1,900 metres of open water. Lake swims reward smooth bilateral breathing and consistent sighting. Bracing — the kind of cold that sharpens focus. The calm surface makes drafting easier to find and hold.
🚴 The Bike
90km of rolling terrain with 613m of climbing — the course signature. The rises are frequent enough to break any rhythm you try to establish. Over 90km, the cumulative elevation demands constant gear management and power discipline. Don't chase speed on the descents; recover there instead. This bike rewards riders who think in power, not pace.
🏃 The Run
A 21.1km rolling run through Bordeaux with 91m of gain. The undulations feel disproportionate on legs that have just covered 90km of bike. Keep cadence quick on the ups, use the downs to stretch your stride, and run the tangents. In mild 16°C conditions, each hill amplifies the heat cost. Walk an aid station if you need to — it costs 15 seconds and gains you proper hydration.
💡 Insider Tips
- → Water temperature averages 13°C — that's cold for a 1.9km swim. Train in cold open water regularly in the weeks before. Your first 400m set the tone: if you can settle into rhythm through the cold shock, you'll swim well. A neoprene cap makes a measurable difference.
- → With 613m of elevation over 90km of rolling terrain, the bike is deceptively demanding. The short rises don't look like much individually, but they accumulate. Stay in the aerobars on the flats, spin up the rises, and save your matches for the run.
- → Nutrition is the fourth discipline at 70.3 distance. Practice your race-day fuelling in training until it's automatic. Target 60-80g of carbs per hour on the bike (gels, drink mix, or both), and carry at least one gel for the run. Under-fuelling a 90km bike destroys a half-marathon.
Prepare for This Race
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FAQ
What distance is the Bordeaux Triathlon 70.3? +
The Bordeaux Triathlon 70.3 is a Half Ironman / 70.3 distance triathlon: 1900m swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run (113km total) in Bordeaux, France.
When is the Bordeaux Triathlon 70.3? +
Typically held in June on a Saturday.
Water temperature and wetsuit rules? +
Lake water at 13°C average. Wetsuit rules are conditional.
How hilly is the bike course? +
613m of climbing over 90km. Profile: rolling. Drafting not allowed.
What's the weather like on race day? +
undefined–undefined°C, 43% humidity, 10% rain chance, 13 km/h winds.
Average finish time? +
Approximately 5h 30m. Varies with conditions and athlete experience.
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