Search
shop

Gustav Iden eyes his date with destiny as he looks to “restart” triathlon career

"I feel like I have a lot of things to improve and develop so it's very exciting," says Norwegian superstar ahead of 2025 campaign.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Gustav Iden is relishing starting the second phase of his long-distance triathlon career – and believes the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice on September 14 will be a date with destiny.

Iden burst into the global spotlight with his victory in a stellar IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice in 2019, getting the better of double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee.

He successfully defended that title the next time the event was held in 2021, and was then crowned IRONMAN World Champion in Kona the following season.

But he has endured a traumatic time since then, with personal tragedy as his mother lost her brave battle against cancer in 2023.

Injuries have also curtailed his appearances but he was building things up in the second half of 2024 and is now ready for a fresh start, which coincides with a change on the coaching side as he and compatriot Kristian Blummenfelt will take more responsibility now that long-time coach Olav Aleksander Bu focuses much of his time on pro cycling with a new role at Uno-X.

Advertisement

Exciting times

In the latest episode of the Santara Tech ‘Norwegian Method’ series, which is embedded below, Iden reveals: “Me and Kristian and doing more on the programmes themselves now.

“Olav is very much still part of the team and we’re talking a lot about the training.

“But taking more charge of the day to day life is also a challenge I’m looking forward to.

“I’m more motivated than ever to do some more of the training myself and just figure things out as I go.

“It’s weird to feel like you have so much to learn still when I’m a three-time world champion.

“But I do feel that way. I feel like I have a lot of things to improve and develop so it’s very exciting.”

‘Nice the ultimate goal’

The priority for both Iden and Blummenfelt in 2025 will be the IRONMAN Pro Series, with the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice the undoubted highlight.

Their seasons will start in April with 70.3 Oceanside and IRONMAN Texas but before then a trip to the French Riviera will combine a training block and the chance to spec out the Nice course.

“I think for me Nice is the ultimate goal,” explains Iden. “I feel like it’s almost destiny in one way. 2019 was the year I really broke through on the international stage, especially over long distance.

“Winning there in Nice on a road bike and with no sponsors was basically the start of my career.

“And now to restart my career there would be a dream.

“I’m feeling very motivated to get back into training.”

Gustav Iden Olav Aleksander Bu lab testing CORE
Gustav Iden working hard in training [Photo credit: [CORE / Marte Thoresen]
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
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
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
Magnus Ditlev run Challenge Roth 2024 Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth
Crazy scenes as Magnus Ditlev is shown a red card but runs on at IRONMAN Frankfurt
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

Share to...