The IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero Bike Course: 90 Rolling Kilometers of Coastline, Porto Conte and Wind

What to expect

The bike leg is a single loop of roughly 90 km starting from Alghero. First south along the coast, then north around Porto Conte Park up to Capo Caccia, then back into town. The stated elevation gain ranges between roughly 770 and 850 m depending on the source: the course sheets don't agree on the exact number, so treat it as indicative. The substance doesn't change: it's not a flat course, but it's not a climbing race either. It's what you'd call rolling: short climbs, false flats, constant surges.

Note: the race is in its second edition (the first was held in 2026), so check the 2027 route on the official map before planning in detail.

The wind is the real opponent

On an exposed coastal course like this, sea wind can matter more than the climbing. The open sections toward Capo Caccia are where a headwind or crosswind costs you watts and focus.

What to do in training:

• Train your aero position on long, windy rides. Two hours on the aerobars without sitting up should be normal, not an achievement.
• Work on surges out of corners and over the tops of short climbs: on a rolling course you lose more time there than on the climbs themselves.
• If you're unsure about wheels, a mid-depth profile (40-50 mm) is the safe choice in crosswinds. A disc or deep-section wheel should be tested in similar conditions before race day.

Pacing: 72-75% FTP, no exceptions

On a rolling loop the temptation is to push the short climbs and "recover" afterward. That's the classic mistake you pay for at km 12 of the half marathon.

The plan:

• Average target of 72-75% of FTP if you're chasing a time; a bit less for your first half.
• On short climbs, set a ceiling: no more than 85-90% FTP, never above threshold. Shift down, hold your cadence, roll over the top.
• On descents and with a tailwind, keep pedaling: that's where you gain time for free.
• Looking at reference splits: a sub 5:30 overall requires roughly 2:50 on the bike (31-32 km/h average); sub 5:00 requires about 2:35. Do the math with your actual level, not the one you're hoping for.

Gearing and equipment

With 700-850 m of elevation spread across short climbs you don't need a mountain cassette, but you don't want flat-TT gearing either. A compact or semi-compact with an 11-30 or 11-32 in the back covers everything and lets you spin smoothly even into a headwind on false flats. Check your brakes: the descents toward the coast are scenic, and the scenery is exactly the distraction to avoid. Clean lines, eyes ahead, brake before the corner.

How to train in the final 8 weeks

• One weekly session on rolling terrain: 2-3 hours with repeated short climbs at steady race pace, not surges.
• One position session: long intervals (2-3 x 20') on the aerobars at 75-80% FTP.
• At least two long rides with a 20-40 minute brick run right after, at race pace.
• Test your race nutrition on every long ride: 60-80 g/h of carbs and adequate sodium, all tested beforehand.

The decision to make

Choose your power ceiling for the climbs now and write it on your cockpit. On race day, with nearly 3,000 athletes on the road and adrenaline running high, the written number is worth more than how you feel. The final kilometers of the run are won or lost between Porto Conte and Capo Caccia.