On the Trail with XTerra Pro and Thanyapura Coach David Ballesteros

By Wires March 28, 2017

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David Escolar Ballesteros currently works as a swimming and triathlon coach in Thanyapura Sports Center in Phuket, Thailand. An MTB and XTerra Pro, he is one of the favorites to win XTerra Phuket, happening this weekend right in his training ground. Last year, he won XTerra Samui, Thailand. AsiaTRI was able to reach out to the David, and know about his beginnings and his plans for the 2017 season:

AsiaTRI: Can you tell us about your background?

David: I was born and raised in Madrid Spain. Although Madrid is a big city, I always have been involved with the natural environment, that is why it became my passion for Outdoor Sport. I have a degree of Physical Education and Sport Science and Post Graduate – Bachelor of Education from Madrid Polytechnic University.

My work experience always has been as a Teacher, Coach and Bike Fitter.

I feel so happy to be able to consider work as that I love to do.

AsiaTRI: How did you start in the sport?

David: Since I was young I was attached to bicycle and I used to riding more than walking. I started to race in Mountain Bike a bit late, at the end of junior category and still at that moment I did not take it so serious.

After my degree I got more committed with my training and races. Then I began to race abroad. For 8 years I was racing in a professional level in Mountain bike and after this time I started to do Triathlon, especially Off-Road Triathlon.

AsiaTRI: Can you tell us your major achievements in your athletic career?

David:

3 times top-10 Mtb XCO Spanish Championship
12 Mtb XCO World Cups
1st Mtb XCO Thalang Phuket 2016/2017
1st Mtb XCO Kathu Phuket 2016
3rd Pro Xterra Reino de Granada Spain 2014
6th Pro Xterra Langkawi Malaysia 2016
1st Pro Xterra Samui Thailand 2016
3rd Age group 70.3 Phuket Thailand 2016

AsiaTRI: Quite impressive, David! As one of the Pros racing XTerra Phuket this weekend, can you give our readers a preview of what the course would be like?

David: The swimming course is not so complicated, the beach where we will be swimming doesn’t have big current at this time of the year.

The bike course is quite tough but it is not too technical. There is one long and tricky downhill and several hard uphill. The first part of the course is harder than the last part. Also at the end you will find a fun single track before the transition.

The run course is pretty fast in general, especially the first part where it is mostly flat. It will be in the second part of the course where you will have to deal with a very steep uphill. So make sure you save a bit of energy for that.

AsiaTRI: Being a coach in Thanyapura, can you expound on how it has helped your athletes improve?

David: Having one of the best facilities in the world for training and being surrounded by professional coaches and staff help me a lot to do my job better. I try to work hard with my clients understanding what they need and what is their purpose, then I only have to put my passion on it to get the best result.

AsiaTRI: What’s next for you?

David: My agenda depends on my work schedule and my availability to travel. As per my plan is below details.