With Ironman Boise 70.3 quickly approaching, Matt Sharpe has been doubling down on his cycling – the discipline he identifies as his greatest opportunity for improvement in long course racing. Over the past six weeks, he has significantly ramped up his cycling volume, shifting from about 8 hours a week to upwards of 13, with a targeted focus on steady, aerobic zone two work.
The 34-year old, currently based out of Boulder, Colorado, jokes about the irony of his self-proclaimed weakest discipline while living in one of the world’s top cycling destinations.
“Ever since moving to Boulder, I’ve been spoiled by the exceptional cycling,” he says. “My all-time favourite route is to ride up the stunning South St. Vrain canyon, head along the famous Peak to Peak highway (elevation 9000ft/3000m), and rip a fast descent down the Lefthand Canyon. It’s a beautiful mountain ride… You’d think I’d be better at [the bike],” he laughs.
Sharpe brings an exceptional swim and run background forged through years on the elite short-course circuit which included competing in the Olympics. And to be clear, his bike is far from a weakness – it’s been strong enough to carry him to a win in his long-course debut at Ironman 70.3 Boulder in 2022, along with a podium that same year in Santa Cruz. Since then, he has continued to deliver competitive results, including top-five finishes at 70.3 Waco in 2022, 70.3 Boulder in 2023, and 70.3 Pucon in both 2024 and 2025. He also landed on the podium at 70.3 Michigan this past September, and his fourth-place finish in Boulder this June earned him a slot at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella this fall.
Still, even after his success to date, Sharpe is chasing something more: the ability to match the sport’s best across all three disciplines.
“My goal for the race is to be on the podium,” he says of Boise. “If I can see a measurable improvement on the bike in how I perform relative to my professional peers, then I will be stoked!”
“This doesn’t [necessarily] mean having a bigger wattage output,” he explains. “[It’s more about improving] my position starting the run, and my ability to express my full run potential.”
He’s also candid about what podiums mean beyond personal pride. “As a pro, you live and die by the ‘podium imagery’ you can provide to current and prospective partners, so I will be fighting for every spot.”
And Canadian fans will be watching and cheering for him this weekend too. Because Matt Sharpe is more than just a name on a start list – he’s an athlete who has lived and breathed this sport since childhood, and whose journey continues to resonate with a community that has grown up alongside him.
A Life Built Around the Sport
Some athletes race triathlon. Matt Sharpe has built his life around it. From his first race at age 10, through solo early-morning runs back in high school, to representing Canada on the World Triathlon circuit, to his Olympic debut in Tokyo and now his transition to long-course racing, triathlon has shaped his routines, his values, and the trajectory of his life.
That devotion shows not just in the training hours, but in the bigger life choices: relocating to Boulder for its world-class endurance scene, marrying a fellow Olympian, and building a career that continues to revolve around the multisport world.
“[Racing elite across the world] allowed me to meet my incredible wife,” Matt shares. His partner, US Olympian Kirsten Kasper, has been recovering from hip surgery this year, and Sharpe is eager to support her as she begins her return to training. “That connection means everything.”
The couple now live in Boulder, where they have built a home grounded in performance and shared ambition.
Beyond Racing: The Tempo News and Giving Back
Even off the race course, Sharpe remains deeply immersed in the world of triathlon. He’s the founder of The Tempo News, a twice-weekly newsletter and accompanying podcast that curates top training insights and key headlines from across the endurance world. The project serves as both a creative outlet and a way to give back to the sport that has shaped his life.
The publication also highlights a side of Matt not always visible on race day: thoughtful, curious, and committed to building the sport’s future. While racing remains his priority, it’s clear that Matt sees his impact as something that goes beyond podium finishes and performance metrics.
Boise and Beyond
In the short term, Sharpe’s focus is razor-sharp. A solid performance in Boise this weekend, and proof that his investment on the bike is paying off, will help determine whether he targets the 70.3 World Championship in Marbella this November or pivots toward making a full-distance debut this fall.
“If I have a strong result in Boise, that’ll show my ability to perform in a World Championship field is on the right track. If not, I may have a fall Ironman in my future!” he shares, acknowledging the flexibility of his season’s roadmap.
Longer term, Kona is very much on his radar. It remains the ultimate proving ground for long-course athletes and a race Sharpe openly considers a personal goal.
After Boise, a short reset is planned. Then it’s back to work: on The Tempo News, on supporting Kirsten’s comeback, and on sharpening his own form for what comes next.
Whether it leads to Marbella or marks a step closer to Kona, this weekend represents another milestone in a career shaped not just by persistence and adaptability, but by a lifelong love for triathlon that – though tested at times – has never faded.
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