Kristian Blummenfelt learnt the hard way in Milwaukee that if you come at the king, you better not miss, after Jan Frodeno reigned supreme at the 2023 PTO Tour US Open.
Frodeno, who proved to everyone that despite it being his penultimate race, he’s still got it, oozed quality in Wisconsin as he dispatched of a world-class field to take the biggest win of his final season so far.
In his post-race interview, Frodeno had nothing but gratitude for the team of supporters who had got him to the start line, as he celebrated conquering a top-tier race for one of the final times in his professional career.
“There was plenty of doubt”
Candid when reflecting on his victory, Frodeno shared that the win was never a certainty, even in the latter stages of the run, with the fresh crop of young middle-distance talent racing making it hard for the veteran from the gun.
“There was plenty of doubt, it was quite something, on the swim already the pace was on and I got kicked quite hard on the first buoy and then had a terrible first transition because I couldn’t swim with my suit up.
“Then on the bike it was just on and I look at the guys I used to race against 3-4 years ago and I’m faster than them, but then there’s just a handful of other guys who have upped the game and I was on the rivet for a while. The level on the bike is just incredible, so I knew I just had to duck my head in and stick to my numbers a little bit and be confident that it comes back.
“Today, the course was a little flatter and the technical sections really helped me to latch on and I was in trouble a few times, but when Magnus came by it took him a long time and I knew we were going well. On the bike, I decided to just settle down and go my own pace and then luckily, I managed to have a few moments to savour out on the run.”
“It’s been an emotional few weeks”
Describing the emotions invoked by such a meaningful victory, with Frodeno set to retire after the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice next month, making this his last middle distance race, the German revealed the raw passion brought on by the race.
“It’s been an emotional few weeks and having the time to appreciate it is seldom in the sport and to have your moments is special. The days in the sport where you can choose your tempo and everything feels good are few and far between.
“I was thinking back to this time last year, when I had my surgery, so to come back here is just a privilege. I would never consider myself the greatest, I am just fortunate enough to have a great group of people around me who allow me to get the most out of myself on race day.
“I missed the season opener in the US and it is just fantastic to have great days with friends, especially when you’ve had a long drought you know, it’s been a long time between drinks and to have so many people who have been so supportive for such a long time, to be able to repay them is truly gratifying.”
Addressing the fact that he got one over his heir apparent, Blummenfelt, Frodeno said he was happy to come out on top and warned the Norwegian that whilst he may be next in line, the throne will lie safely with him.
“I was angry when Kristian punched me on the first buoy [in the swim] and I was just like dude, you can have the changing of the guard but the throne will stay with me. Against Kristian, I was confident that head-to-head I would have it as the running has really come back, that’s what I live for, the battles and the showdowns and I was just happy to come out on top.”
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