It might be one of the biggest questions heading into the IRONMAN World Championship at Kona on Saturday week – just where is Gustav Iden at?
The brilliant 28-year-old Norwegian star was victorious the last time triathlon’s full-distance showpiece took place on the Big Island, fending off Sam Laidlow and compatriot Kristian Blummenfelt for a brilliant victory back in 2022.
This was Gustav at the imperious peak of his powers – already a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, putting a high-class field to the sword to win in a new Kona record time of 7:40:24.
Tortuous 2023 for Gustav Iden
The Iden who will line up in Hawaii on Saturday week though is a different one, after a tortuous 2023 which was marred by an Achilles injury and also by personal tragedy as his mother passed away after a brave battle against cancer.
Gustav is gradually fighting his way back to the top of the sport, and claimed his first win since 2022 at Challenge Turku in July. But the competition there, and the physical challenge, was of course nothing like the one which awaits Iden in Kona.
Hawaii will provide absolutely stellar opposition, including Blummenfelt, defending champion Laidlow, two-time Kona king Patrick Lange and Danish giant Magnus Ditlev. Among others.
The smile is very much back on Iden’s face, but where is he on the road back to elite levels? And what exactly is he capable off on October 26? We asked his coach Olav Aleksander Bu for the very latest on the Bergen great, and the answer was largely positive, but with one major caveat which will impact any hopes of more Kona glory.
Iden Kona potential revealed
“Gustav is preparing well. Swim and cycling is on par with Kona 2022, if not slightly better, but running is still under building and will be for the remainder of this year and partially into next year.”
“If everything goes according to plan, he is absolutely top 10, and around a ~5th place is within range on Kona with his current running form for long distance.”
Iden will also have a new TT bike position to wow fans with on October 26 – his ‘Superman’ style drew gasps from pros and fans alike when they spotted it in an Instagram video.
But while many were left comparing him to Graeme Obree and Chris Boardman for the radical style, it appears we have the real Gustav Iden very much on the way back. Kona may it appears be too soon for more gold, but Iden should be back to his very very best by the time we reach Nice in 2025. Pass the popcorn…
