Search
shop

Blummenfelt and seven of the world’s top ten set for PTO European Open

The Men's start list for the inaugural PTO European Open in Ibiza has been revealed
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The men’s line up for the inaugural PTO European Open men’s race in Ibiza will bring together seven of the top ten ranked athletes in the world on 6 May, including number 1 ranked Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR), #3 Magnus Ditlev (DEN) and #4 Sam Laidlow (FRA)

The only top ranked athletes missing are those that have opted to instead race IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship St. George and, of course, #2 Gustav Iden (NOR), who is chasing his Paris 2024 Olympic dreams. 

When the four wildcards are added tomorrow (Thursday 13 April), the PTO European Open will have the most exciting race line up of the year to date.

The favourites

Blummenfelt, the Olympic Champion, has an incredible range, able to win at any distance. The 100km race format, covering 2km swim, 80km bike and an 18km run is likely to suit the big Norwegian in this early season clash. 

Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship St George 2022
Photo: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN

The race offers crucial world ranking points and a $600,000 prize purse. It’s also co-hosted alongside the 2023 World Triathlon Multisport Championships, so the athletes can expect some big, knowledgeable crowds of fans in Ibiza Town.

There’s likely to be a lot of interest in Laidlow after his Kona heroics, but he’s arguably less proven over the shorter distances than some of the others on the start list. He’s also stated that he’s aiming for IRONMAN Lanzarote and Roth as his key races for the first half of the year.

Ditlev leads the powerful Danish charge, which also includes Daniel Baekkegard, Miki Moerck Taagholt and Kristian Hogenhaug.

The Australian duo of #7 ranked Max Neumann and #11 Aaron Royle should also feature highly. New Zealand’s Kyle Smith got a start following his third place finish at the Arena Games Finals at the London Aquatics Centre.

From a British perspective, Tom Bishop has made the most of his points scoring efforts in Miami (second place) and a win in Puerto Varas to get into the top 30 and get a start in Ibiza. He’s joined by David McNamee, who was fifth in Miami and remains Britain’s only ever male Kona podium finisher.

Tom Bishop takes second place in 2023 photo credit CLASH Endurance Miami
[Photo credit : CLASH Endurance Miami]

Who’s not there

PTO 5th ranked athlete, Lionel Sanders and #6 Sam Long will be in St. George rather than Ibiza and #14 Collin Chartier won’t be in Ibiza either. However, other USA athletes including Ben Kanute, Rudy Von Berg and Jason West will be part of the PTO line up.

There’s no Joe Skipper (GBR), either. Currently ranked #15 he could have been been there if he had wanted to. He will start his season at IRONMAN Texas on 22 April.

At the moment, there’s no Alistair Brownlee (GBR) or Jan Frodeno (GER), but their names could be added along with another two male wildcard selections tomorrow. 

The inaugural European Open opens the PTO season. It’s the first of three PTO Tour events in 2023 and the stacked men’s field has been announced following the confirmation of the women’s line up yesterday. 

PTO European Open Men's Line Up
PTO European Open Men’s Line Up
Helen Gorman
Written by
Helen Gorman
Helen is part of the editorial team at TRI247 after spending ten years as a Press Officer with British Triathlon. She's mostly found at a pool, sometimes breaking world masters records.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Triathlon legend and current world record holder Anne Haug announces her retirement
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...