Casper and the ghost: Tokyo will haunt Stornes for next three years

Casper Stornes admits he will be haunted by the memory of Tokyo 2020 for the next three years.

The Norwegian star finished only 11th in the men’s triathlon at the Olympic Games, while team-mate Kristian Blummenfelt claimed gold with a lung-bursting run to glory in the Japanese capital.

Another Norwegian star – reigning IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Gustav Iden – came out last week to say he was afraid to take more control of his preparation for Tokyo, prior to finishing eighth.

Casper Stornes on Tokyo

Stornes meanwhile lamented his own performance in Japan after claiming victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Nice on Sunday.

Interviewed by Paul Kaye following his victory, he was asked if this win made up for that disappointment.

“No, I’m still very disappointed after Tokyo, I did aim for much more,” explained Stornes.

“So I think that race will haunt me for three more years so it really motivates me to lay down the extra bit of work towards Paris. Now it’s all about the Olympic preparation.”

Nice win, nice day for Stornes

Stornes, who started a pretty clear favourite to win in Nice, never really looked in any danger of not doing so. He was close to the pace exiting the water and built an advantage on the bike of more than four minutes heading into T2. His day was then rounded off in style by a blistering 1:06:03 run to close the show.

Stornes clearly enjoyed his morning in the sun, admitting: “The day was quite nice, I felt quite in control out there. It was a really nice course, on the bike it was really epic uphill, Col de Vence. I’m really glad I did this race.”

This all-conquering generation of Norwegian stars do not lack confidence. A confidence built on the strength of their belief and belief in their preparation.

Stornes also displayed that when IRONMAN aired a pre-race interview during Sunday’s broadcast, when Casper mentioned his recent foray into full-distance racing in Frankfurt. One which ended in defeat.

He said: “I think I would have won in Frankfurt but for the nutrition. So the other guys should be happy I lost it.”