Spaniard Samuel Pimentel is preparing for the new season of hybrid racing after winning bronze at the World Championship.

Samuel Pimentel Luis from Icod de los Vinos is a true all-rounder! Like a crossover vehicle, he has tried his hand at various sports, and recently became passionate about hybrid racing.

Previously, Samuel played futsal professionally from the age of 10 to 32, while also cycling and going to the gym. He then discovered CrossFit, and in 2022, he transitioned into the world of hybrid competitions.

At 42 years old, this athlete from the north of Spain can be proud of his third place at the World Championships in Nice in 2024 (in his age category). He has also competed in Hyrox 11 times and has always been on the podium in his age group! He especially remembers his second place overall in Madrid.

Last July, he showed his class at the Echo Hy-Race in Santa Cruz, finishing in 40 minutes and 28 seconds. This is an incredible result, as the second participant, Aitor Velasco, finished with a time of 42:36. Samuel is now preparing for the second Echo Hy-Race, which will take place on September 13 in La Laguna. Coincidentally, this will be his first start of the new season.

Sport has always been an important part of Samuel's life. He played team sports and then moved on to individual sports, where he had to find a balance between body and mind. From futsal, cycling, and the gym, he moved to CrossFit, and then to hybrid competitions, which combine running with explosive, dynamic exercises using body weight or additional weights. And it seems that the years have no power over him. As Samuel himself says: "I am in the best athletic shape of my life right now."

"No sport has made me push myself so hard," says Pimentel about hybrid competitions, which he has been passionate about for the past two and a half years. After CrossFit, he realized that his "numbers were improving thanks to cardio in WOD (workout of the day)." This is what made him focus on preparing for hybrid races, where he became the best athlete in the Canary Islands. This is evidenced by his victories in local competitions.

He progressed very quickly and received a ticket to the World Championships after only two years. But, according to him, there was "a bitter aftertaste" because he only took third place in the 40-44 age group in Nice. The reason was an accident a month and a half before the competition and dizziness due to inflammation of the vestibular nerve. This prevented him from showing a better result.

Samuel is used to winning competitions like Hyrox, where running alternates with strength exercises. Therefore, the Echo Hy-Race became a new challenge for him. "Combining long-distance running with three continuous exercises drastically changes the load and fatigue," says Pimentel. He was so "fired up" by the first Echo that he changed his plans to participate in the competition on September 13. Registration is open until September 7. "I wasn't planning to compete on this day, but the first experience in Santa Cruz was so positive that I decided to change my season," says Samuel, who is starting his campaign in La Manzanilla.

"In Echo, running is the key moment, because the distance is very long. It can be 70% of the competition. But that doesn't mean you should forget about the exercises, because there are three in a row before running 1600 meters again. You need explosive power here, so it's better to start carefully and not chase the pace of others. From the middle of the distance, you can give it your all," explains the athlete.

Samuel Pimentel is already preparing for the new 25/26 season, which he will start with the Echo Hy-Race. After a rest, he strives to show the best result so that his name continues to be heard in national competitions.