JAN FRODENO 🆚 KRISTIAN BLUMMENFELT: The battle of triathlon superstars

Jan Frodeno: 2008 Olympic Champion. 6 x World Champion. Kristian Blummenfelt: 2020 Olympic Champion. 3 x World Champion.

2023 saw the coming together of two of the greatest athletes triathlon has ever seen. A match up almost 10 years in the making, Jan Frodeno and Kristian Blummenfelt finally took to the race course together. Not just once. Twice.

And it didn’t disappoint as both athletes and races providing box office viewing. This is the story of how two greats from two generations of triathlon came together on the 2023 PTO Tour in a historic battle that will be talked about forever.

#PTO #Triathlon #JanFrodeno #KristianBlummenfelt

00:00 Jan Frodeno’s setback
01:14 Calling Kristian Blummenfelt
02:31 2023 PTO European Open
08:25 Putting in the work
10:45 The rematch
11:47 2023 PTO US Open
18:04 2023 PTO Asian Open
22:45 One more year?

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Hey everyone, a little update from me. Jan Frodeno. He’s decided to stop. Exceptional skills of Jan Frodeno will not be on display. Disappointing news that Jan Frodeno is out of the upcoming Ironman World Championship. Yesterday the news that Jan Frodeno is out of Kona this year. Chance to reassess, restart and plan

For what will be I think my final 14 months in the sport. I’m still burning. I’m still passionate. I truly love the game. But right now it’s time to reset. Pause. Then start again. Kristian. I’ve just come from a swim and it’s occurred to me that I’m putting in all this hard work

And all this practice in the hope of seeing you at the PTO European Open. But it’s just struck me that for the first time in like 20 years, I need a wildcard. And I know everyone loves wildcards. Could be controversial. Maybe it should all go off the rankings.

But what they do bring is an added piece of jeopardy. And what will particularly happen in a race like this is where an athlete has been injured for a long time and he slipped outside the top 30 and we want to see them racing against the

Best in the world. I’m thinking of Jan Frodeno in particular. Relax, Jan, I think I know someone who knows someone, who knows someone, so your wildcard for the PTO European Open is sorted out. See you in a Ibiza. Oh, man, it’s on. Actually gives me goosebumps. How is it being in Ibiza?

Whew. Jesus. Different crowd, isn’t it? Here in the Mediterranean. The race to be crowned the king of the PTO European Open is nothing short of box office. Yeah, it’s pretty good to finally be in Ibiza and having a race week. It’s been a long time since the last year.

A new place, new location, and it’s a race we all want to win. So, yeah, excited to be back racing. It’s obviously been a while between drinks for me and I’m very, very excited to be here. So far, everything’s gone really smooth, I’ve only got another 48

Hours to bridge until I make it to a start line, which has been a long time and of course, you know, that kind of field, this kind of race, the kind of hype. It’s beautiful. It’s what I live for. This is the shot people want.

How good for triathlon to have the best against the best on the start line on Saturday? I’ve… at least for me, this is like a race I’ve been looking forward for maybe like ten years. For me as an older guy. Like I look at the sport and I’m already you

Know, I’m already I have a bit of distance because I’m not really. It’s a different generation. And I look at it and I look at all these guys talking a big game and there’s a lot of people talking a big game, but there’s not many people delivering big. Talking a big game?

Yeah, I think we all do. We’ve all been performing on the biggest stage. So yeah, some of us will probably fail on Saturday. I’ve been thinking about waiting for you on the run, actually. Oh have you? Yeah, I’m feeling optimistic. I enjoy coming into the race as the ranked number 1 because that’s

How I normally go into a race looking at myself. And to actually have that number as well is I feel it’s where I want to be and where I feel I should be. We’ve got some of the greatest ever triathletes we’ve ever seen competing against each other. These guys are starting to transcend

Just swim, bike and run. The question is, can Jan Frodeno still hold his own against Kristian Blummenfelt? Hold your breath. The beat is about to drop on triathlon’s Ibiza party. We are racing. The swim is key for Kristian Blummenfelt, he comes into this race backing his run.

He knows he’s probably the fastest runner in the field. So out in front, that is Jan Frodeno. We did just see the orange hat of Kristian Blummenfelt there. So he is not currently near the front. They’re coming out of the water and we will see them dash into T1.

And I think this versus Kristian Blummenfelt versus Alistair Brownlee. This has got him back and hopefully got him back in really good shape. Jan Frodeno just struggling there with that jump onto his bike. He’s not happy with himself. Blummenfelt’s a minute down. So that’s a bit of time to make up.

We’re on Max Neumann there. He’s put himself in a great position. Blummenfelt’s ride, flawless so far. Kristian Blummenfelt is at 30 seconds back but in the group with Jan Frodeno. Frodeno and Blummenfelt running out together side by side out of T2. Exactly what we wanted, we’re going to have all three Olympic

Champions sharing that frame. There’s Kristian Blummenfelt coming round, so he’s managed to drop Jan Frodeno. Kristian’s opened up a big gap. Kristian Blummenfelt is moving really well. He’s still one minute 18 seconds down on Alistair Brownlee. It is getting hotter here in Ibiza, up to fourth now. Kristian Blummenfelt.

Max Neumann’s really just picked up the pace. Jan Frodeno. He’s looking good at this stage. There’s Blummenfelt going full send now. He’s just picking everyone off, isn’t he. Frodeno there in fifth. So he’s been in the mix for most of the race. Kristian Blummenfelt has pulled 14 seconds out of Max

Neumann on the run. Oh, it’s going to be close. And just looking at the time checks there, Jan Frodeno’s moved into fourth position. Brownlee’s just slipped back one more position. The speed Kristian Blummenfelt is moving. Yeah. I don’t want to call it. Don’t make me call it.

Kristian Blummenfelt turns the corner, he’s beaten Jan Frodeno. It’s a fantastic race from him. Didn’t quite have enough turf to make up the time. It’s Frodeno over the line, great to have him back racing. Fourth position for him after 616 days away. And take it in folks when you see Jan Frodeno

Because he’s not going to be around for very much longer and we hope to see him a few more times, of course, in 2023. You’ve done two of the PTO Tour races now take the Collins Cup aside. Two second place finishes. It hurts. It hurts. I want that top step!

Well, I think what annoys me with Ibiza finishing second is that it’s just that close to the win. I could see Max and almost getting there and see someone else taking that finish tape just in front of your eyes is… Yeah. It’s annoying to have lost. Ibiza for me was was tricky.

Coming in I knew I’d had, you know, five weeks coming in being injury free. It was somewhat eye opening to see that the depth of the field is that much better. And it’s been good since then and made good progress. And, you know, looking forward to being more of the athlete

That I’m known for. It hasn’t been the greatest start of the season. Second place in Ibiza and then two so-so races in the short distance. So I’m feeling like even more hungry now to bounce back. Training has been very consistent. I’ve been able to finally get to that stage of how I

Would like to see myself finish my season. It makes me go into a race with a lot more fire in my belly and a lot more aggression and a lot more looking forward to going out and crushing things. Overall, I should be better prepared, have spent

More time on the TT bike and done all of those things better. This time I’m actually ready to put on the boxing gloves and give him a run for his money. Every chance you have to race Jan like it brings more like prestige to the race.

But I think I’m better prepared in terms of the next speed now. Like, man, I totally respect what you’ve done and everything, but every single time you say, oh, I’m going to win, I’m going to smash you, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.

Well, we’re waiting and we’ve waited for a while now, so I’m going to keep you waiting a little bit longer. Challenge accepted? I guess you better wait two more days and then we will be there. Notable efforts out there by Kristian Blummenfelt. Kristian Blummenfelt didn’t quite have enough turf.

We are racing. 100 kilometres of swim, bike, run here in Milwaukee. Kristian Blummenfelt and Magnus Ditlev are in good positions, better than what we would have expected. Jan is behind Kristian Blummenfelt. They’re going to have to really sprint to catch on to that front

Group. There might be a little bit of a pack forming right now. So the surprise really is Kristian Blummenfelt, didn’t expect him to be this far up the front. So, again, a phenomenal swim from Kristian. Jan is last on this pack here. These few moments here are going to be critical for Jan.

It’s a perfect position for Kristian Blummenfelt because he’ll sit in and conserve his legs. He still has the fire. You’re seeing that right now. He’s pushing, he’s third right now and amongst the best in the world. Still holding out top is Kristian Blummenfelt.

And I know it’s early, but he’s looking good for it. The pace is on and he means business. This is massive. You can’t underestimate how big this is. Jan is dropping back. It’s not a good sign. Magnus, Kristian and Mathis at the front of the race. Jan’s dropped off.

Jan’s not going to get back there, I don’t think. To me, this is the podium. We’re seeing Kristian talk the talk before the race. He’s now walking the walk. And that’s Jan Frodeno, you know, actually still hanging on to Magnus. The Goat. Don’t count him out just yet.

The question is how hard has Jan had to work and how is he feeling right now? Oh, Kristian’s cramped! Not again. Canada all over again. This happened to Kristian the exact same quad. I sort of thought Kristian had this race in the bag.

I sort of thought, there’s no way he hasn’t won this. Suddenly this race is Jan’s to lose. Struggling with that left shoe because it’s on that left leg. I sort of expected Jan to look a little heavier and a little bit more ploddy through T2 there, he looks great.

Kristian still to me doesn’t look that good. If Jan’s moving to the front of a race like this, it means he’s feeling good and it means he’s fit. This is the race for Jan to go. I haven’t beaten Kristian. I’m going to do it today.

We’re seeing Kristian Blummenfelt running up onto the heels of Magnus Ditlev. This is massive here. Kristian Blummenfelt has come back from… Oh here we go again. Another cramp! Just as he was about to make his move. This is brutal. That little surge he tried to make is literally what’s hurt him here.

Yeah, it’s almost like he has to just baby it or keep the pace lower. This is… Heartbreaking. Is this not a long time? Very long time, yeah. This just wasn’t anywhere in his thoughts. He was so confident. Jan here looks so good.

I’ve heard stories like I’ve said about how well he’s been running and we’re seeing it here. Kristian Blummenfelt, he’s down in fourth position around two minutes down after a couple of cramps. Devastating for Kristian Blummenfelt. Jason West is definitely running fastest on course. There’s every chance he catches Kristian here.

Could you imagine if he wins? John, I think don’t imagine. I think we’re seeing it happening in front of our eyes. Oh, look at Kristian. He’s such a competitor. He’s just trying to go with Jason West right there. How can someone look that good at this stage in this race?

He’s got a minute lead. He’s got one lap to go. This just shows how tough Kristian Blummenfelt is. He was walking a couple of laps ago, but now he’s back and he’s battling for a second place finish. Jan Frodeno now looks like he has the race won and Kristian and

Jason they’re catching him and they’re catching him fast. Jan’s now… he’s entering this state of like euphoria of like, look at me. I’m the greatest of all time. What a performance. What a moment. What a man. The greatest of all time. Jan Frodeno wins the US Open. Congratulations that man.

This is insane what he’s just done today. Kristian Blummenfelt, despite the pain and the agony has come over the finish line, he finishes in third and you can see how much it hurts. Oh, and you could see how much it hurt Kristian, too. Jan is on cloud nine here.

And Kristian just looked defeated like I’ve lost a PTO race again. For Jan to have a PTO Open win on his resumé it’s everything. For when we reflect on his career in five years time and talk about him as the greatest of all time.

In first place. And the winner of the gold medal in the 2023 PTO US Open. Representing Germany. Jan Frodeno. It’s been a emotional few weeks, and I’m thinking back a year ago today I was in hospital, you know, I had my first surgery.

And to come back here, race the best of the best is just a privilege. When Kristian punched me on the first buoy and I was like, dude, dude, you can have the guard… we can have the changing of the guard but the throne will stay with me.

Losing the battle to Jan is sort of… Yeah, it. Stings. Yeah, it does. I’m sure a PTO Open will be in your future, Kristian. Hopefully in two weeks. Hopefully in two weeks in Singapore. You have to admit, it is a fairly stunning setting in which

To hold the final PTO race of the season. And for the athletes, it’s a last chance to wear the crown of Open champion. Kristian Blummenfelt, the big favourite again for a PTO race, despite the fact he hasn’t quite won one yet. Three races across two continents over ten days.

He’s gone Milwaukee, Paris and arrived into Singapore late last night. But he’s told us he is fit and firing. And ready to go today. We are racing in Singapore. Kristian Blummenfelt is sitting in seventh in the orange cap. So that’s a good position for him to be in.

We’re very used to seeing Kristian Blummenfelt at the very top. But so far, that isn’t the case. A long way to go yet. This is the biggest lead group that we’ve seen out of the water on the PTO Tour. We see the men go through transition now, Kristian’s right in the

Thick of it. There’s so many unknowns around Kristian’s race today. He’s done the Olympic test event in Paris two days ago, flown across continents to get here and race. Kristian. He’s all business at the moment. He’s in a great position. 28 seconds back. He is arguably the best triathlete

In the world and has been for three years. He hasn’t ridden his TT bike for two weeks since the PTO US Open. He went straight back on his road bike. All the ingredients for, you know, that cramp to show itself again

Seems to be there, so really interesting to see whether it sort of plays out that way or whether he’s fine. This is what you dream of as an athlete having one of these days. And we didn’t expect to see Pieter off the front like this.

At this point, I don’t think it’s a race winning lead for Pieter Heemeryck by any stretch. Not with Kristian Blummenfelt breathing down your neck. Pieter Heemeryck still looks amazing, though. He looks fast. He looks fluent. Don’t think just because Pieter Heemeryck was two minutes in front that this race is done.

Kristian’s got the mindset of the hunter right now. He has that carry out in front of him and he’s chasing it. Kristian is really eating into this lead. Kristian Blummenfelt is only 40 seconds behind now. He is closing that gap quite quickly now. That catch between Kristian Blummenfelt and Pieter Heemeryck is about

To happen. Is he going to finally get that PTO win he’s been craving? There it is. We have a new leader here in Singapore. Kristian Blummenfelt out front. He’s some athlete, this boy. I mean, this is great to watch.

I’ve picked him for a lot of the races that he’s done, and I think I’m not on my own. I didn’t think he could get it done today. I just wasn’t sure. I thought he’d be on the podium. But this is… this is incredible.

He sees the blue now and he’s coming down towards the finish line. His résumé is quite something, and it’s about to get even deeper. Kristian Blummenfelt is the PTO Tour Asian Champion 2023. He’s done it. Drink it up, Kristian Blummenfelt. You deserve it all. That is a remarkable achievement. It’s been a race

I wanted to win since 2020, like Daytona, and I’ve been chasing this one and especially after the two races I’ve done already this year with Ibiza and the US Open, I felt… It’s a massive relief. Somewhere, I’m sure Jan Frodeno is watching this with a cold beer just winking at the

Telly. If you had the chance to say something to him now, would you say come on Jan, one more dance, 2024? Take one more year!