It was a story which hit the headlines in a big way in the countdown to the Olympic Games triathlon on Wednesday – that much rumoured switch to pro cycling for Norwegian superstar Kristian Blummenfelt.
The 30-year-old from Bergen has been linked to a move to the peloton for weeks now, and that speculation ramped up significantly in recent days when his coach Olav Aleksander Bu told Norwegian media that it is now “90 percent certain”.
Bu then laid out an ambitious plan which would see ‘The Norwegian Method’ involved in the Tour de France from 2026, and aiming to challenge for a race win by 2028.
Cycling fans scoff at Blummenfelt ‘plan’
Blummenfelt has carried all before him in triathlon in recent years, winning every major prize. But despite that, the grand Bu plan had many cycling fans scoffing loudly. Not everybody though is writing off the chances of the Norwegians succeeding in a second sport.
Firmly in the Bu/Blummenfelt fan camp is Belgian star Victor Campenaerts, who claimed victory in Stage 18 of the 2024 Tour de France. He provided a fresh take on what should be a fascinating developing story.
The 32-year-old told told Het Nieuwsblad: “I know Blummenfelt very well and I have built up a good relationship with his trainer, Olav Aleksander Bu, over the years. We met in Sierra Nevada in 2018. We have been in touch ever since.”
First of all Campenaerts spoke about the single-minded dedication which Blummenfelt and team-mate Gustav Iden have shown in dominating triathlon, and how that will serve them well in any sport.
Blummenfelt ‘on a different level’ – Campenaerts
“After his Olympic title in Tokyo I sent a message to congratulate Kristian and asked them if they were going to rest now. They had taken one day to visit the Olympic village, one day to return home and then they started training for the next goal.”
After mission accomplished in Tokyo, that ‘next goal’ of course was the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, the Holy Grail for long-distance triathletes and a challenge the Norwegians were eager to take on.
“Kristian came third, his training partner Gustav Iden won,” said Campenaerts. “Just to say: if those guys have a goal, they achieve it. I have the reputation that I can work well towards a goal. Blummenfelt is on a different level.”
Many cycling fans, and experts, have suggested Blummenfelt would need to lose weight to match the sort of physique which normally prospers in the Tour De France peloton of 2024, but Campenaerts does not necessarily agree.
Biggest challenge for ‘Big Blu’
He has no doubt though about what he sees as the biggest challenge for the 2021 Olympic champion – being able to match the bike handling skills of much more experienced pro cyclists. Again though, he believes ‘Big Blu’ is up to the task.
“To ride through a corner as fast as possible until Kristian falls, for example. To go through the corner at the same speed next time without falling. His first race will also be crucial. Kristian will immediately claim his place, so that everyone understands that Blummenfelt is not to be messed with. They mean business. Their plan is too concrete not to be true.”
Blummenfelt will now concentrate on Kona 2024 after finishing 12th in Wednesday’s Olympic Games triathlon, while in the meantime we wait to see if and when that 2025 move to the peloton will be confirmed.
Campenaerts for one awaits updates with keen interest, excitement, and a suggestion that popcorn may be required.
“It’s a crazy idea and I’m going to follow it with an eagle eye. And I hope with all my heart that Netflix makes a documentary about it. Then everyone can see how dedicated they are, how they experience their sport, how they try to control everything as much as possible.
“I’ve spoken to many athletes and trainers, but I’ve never come across anyone like them.”
