Sometimes it is the little things that can make all the difference in the professional world of triathlon.
Whether that’s an alteration to training, a switch in nutrition, or even a tiny change to equipment, all triathletes are looking to find the subtle difference-maker that can take them to new heights.
And it’s no different for Norwegian sensation Kristian Blummenfelt who is working hard on his bike positioning to obtain more power.
Preparing for Nice
‘Big Blu’ has spent the past few weeks training in Nice, the home of the 2025 IRONMAN Men’s World Championship.
The Tokyo Olympic Champion in 2021 has been working on the hilly and technical bike course in the south of France attempting to optimise his set up ahead of September’s showcase.
“Having been in Nice, and being on the TT bike for the last week, I’ve figured out that I need to have better balance on the bike, so I will have to do some adjustments with the saddle and a play around with the front to get a more power-based position,” the 31-year-old explained in his latest YouTube offering.
“I’ve been in Nice for four weeks, and for the first three I was riding on the Propel (road bike) and felt way more naturally comfortable on the course.
“I felt stronger, with more power and a higher cadence compared to the position I have been adopting on the Cadex (time trial bike) with an aggressive more forward leaning position.
“I think maybe Nice is a more power based course rather than aerodynamic.”
Sierra Nevada camp on horizon
Blummenfelt is heading to the Spanish mountains for a four week training block in Sierra Nevada before making his seasonal bow at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside on April 5.
And it’s his seating position on the bike that is at the forefront of his mind as he hunts for that vital advantage that could earn him a second IRONMAN World Championship later this year.
“I’m eager to try out moving a little bit further back now and ride like that in training over the next couple of weeks. Then I can do some new air testing in Sierra Nevada together with Body Rocket to compare the two riding positions.
“What I found in Nice was I wasn’t really able to have like a smooth balance, I had too much weight on the front wheel in the turns, so I’m trying to bring it back a little bit. I’m constantly thinking what do I need to do to get more power.
“So when we get into Sierra, I’ll have like three weeks to get used to this position and then we can sort of look how the CdA (Coefficient of Drag Area) numbers are looking and comparing it to the strength of position.
“Even if it’s a little less efficient it might be still stronger because it’s more powerful – it’s finding that compromise that’s hopefully not less aerodynamic.
“I’ll only be taking my TT bike to Sierra Nevada, I need to be as comfortable on that one as I am the road bike.”
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