What I race with: my gear

Swim

In open water I swim in a 2XU Propel wetsuit, the green version. I’ve had it for six or seven years and it has put up with a lot. I’m very happy with it and wouldn’t replace it if I didn’t have to. But it’s falling apart now and the seams on the arms and legs are tearing. So I’m thinking about a new one.

In the pool I swear by Arena. As a former competitive swimmer I’ve used their gear since I was a kid, from swimsuits to paddles and fins. They cost more, but if you look after them they last forever. The fit and quality suit me and I can always rely on them. Here the investment pays off.

Bike

I ride Canyon bikes. I’m very happy with the brand and there are plenty of add-ons and extensions, whether for a triathlon bike or a road bike. This season I got a Canyon Aeroad, an aero road bike. You can feel it’s built for speed: it pulls cleanly and helps my performance.

My race suit is made by ATEX, and I’m happy with both quality and craftsmanship. I designed the suit’s motif myself. That means I can offer partners free space for their logo.

For cycling shoes I use S-Works. They have a carbon sole that transfers the power of my leg straight into the pedal. I need every watt I put out to turn into speed.

Run

I’ve tried plenty of running shoe brands: adidas, Nike, ASICS and On. I stuck with ASICS, because for me the value for money is the best of them all. My favourite is the ASICS Metaspeed Ray racing shoe.

Electronics

On my wrist I wear a Garmin Forerunner. It’s light, intuitive and works great in everyday life too. With it I use a Garmin HRM chest strap, which I’ve had for years and which has never let me down.

I also wear a WHOOP band, which shows how well I’ve recovered and how to approach training that day. If I’ve slept badly or feel tired, I go into a hard session with more in reserve. When I’m rested, I know I can push.

Nutrition

This is my biggest dilemma, because I’m still looking for what suits me best.

• Nutrend: where I started, but the ratio of carbs and electrolytes didn’t suit me.
• Penco: the gels didn’t agree with my stomach. Their Energy Drink and Mineral Drink, though, were excellent in recipe and taste.
• Infinit: more expensive, but I can mix my own recipe for what I need. One blend for a long race, another for a short fast one. That suits me perfectly.
• IONTMAX: lately I use their hydrogels most. They suit me best in taste and in racing. When I take gels often enough and at clear intervals, my energy doesn’t fade. I like that they try new things, such as a lactate gel or a beetroot drink and a taurine gel that keeps my head in race mode. For me they offer the best value for money.

My biggest waste of money

The silliest thing in my career was paying for online trainer subscriptions like Zwift or Rouvy. Today I only use the Wahoo app, which connects to any smart trainer, whether Tacx or Wahoo. I see watts, heart rate and everything I need. And I don’t pay 20 to 30 dollars a month.

If your budget is tight, put the money into things that last for years, like good swim gear or cycling shoes. Apps can be found cheap, or even free.