Kristian Blummenfelt may not be starting a career in pro cycling, but his coach Olav Aleksander Bu apparently is.
Just before the Paris 2024 Paris Olympics, Bu revealed that Blummenfelt was ’90 percent likely’ to move to the pro peloton from next year, with the Tour de France the ultimate aim. But then more recently that plan was scrapped, with Bu telling TRI247 that money had thrown a spanner in those works.
Now though we have the announcement today (Wednesday) that Bu himself WILL be heavily involved in pro cycling from 2025 after being confirmed as head coach for Norwegian team Uno-X Mobility – effective November 1.
General manager Thor Hushovd confirmed the signing to Norwegian media outlet TV 2, revealing: “The idea is that he should come in with new and fresh eyes and see what can be done differently. He has a different kind of experience and is an extremely wise guy.”
Bu excited by new role
The 43-year-old Bu is excited by his new role, admitting: “When Thor called and asked if I could think of a role in the team, it was very nice.
“It was not many years ago that it would have been unthinkable to have a Norwegian professional team, but it is very positive for the sport that we now have it and that the owners think long-term.”
Hushovd admitted that reading and hearing about Bu’s incredible work with Blummenfelt and fellow Norwegian superstar Gustav Iden piqued his interest in signing the highly-regarded coach.
“The idea was created by reading about the triathlon project and hearing about how much he can do and how passionate he is. About endurance, new forms of training, new training techniques… We in cycling must also be careful not to be too much in our own ‘cycling bubble’.
“We hope this will lift the trainers and riders, and we also hope that they will feel a little pride in being able to work with a person with such a great skills.”
What does it mean for Blummenfelt and Iden?
The one big triathlon question out of this concerns Blummenfelt and Iden, and what it means for them from 2025. And the good news is he will reportedly continue to coach them.
There is a blueprint already in operation here of course – triathlon coaching genius Dan Lorang is Head of Performance/Head Coach for pro cycling team Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe as well as guiding the swim/bike/run careers of Lucy Charles-Barclay, Anne Haug and Taylor Knibb.
Bu is currently preparing Blummenfelt and Iden for the upcoming IRONMAN World Championship – which takes place in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday week (October 26).
