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“Someone forgot to bring a flat kit” – Sanders calls out Blummenfelt after Oceanside KO

The banter between two of the sport's biggest names has moved up a level - and now we're looking forward to round two
News Director
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STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

They are two of pro triathlon’s biggest names but Lionel Sanders and Kristian Blummenfelt had vastly contrasting fortunes in their season-opening race at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside.

Canadian star Sanders powered to an impressive second straight victory in the race, but Blummenfelt’s chances were undone by a flat front tyre caused by a pothole in the road.

That saw him go from first place to out of contention as he lost a whopping 14 minutes before getting it fixed.

And the former IRONMAN and 70.3 World Champion showed what might have been as he set a run course record with a 1:07:19 half-marathon, though that was only enough to move him up to 15th.

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‘I got lucky’

Of course we’ll never know how things would have unfolded and when looking back at the showdown-that-never-was in his latest YouTube video, ‘No Limits’ couldn’t resist a gentle dig at his Norwegian rival and good friend.

“Someone forgot to bring a flat kit!” was his opening gambit.

“I got lucky there! There’s a little bit of luck involved in every win, I promise you that,” he added.

Kristian Blummenfelt Puncture IRONMAN 703 Oceanside 2025
Kristian Blummenfelt deals with a punctured tyre during IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025.

‘I know Kristian’s too scared’

All being well the two of them will lock horns on plenty of other occasions this season – and Sanders was doing his best to add a race to that list he goaded ‘Big Blu’ by saying: “I know Kristian’s too scared to come and race me in [IRONMAN 70.3] Eagleman. So I don’t really count on him coming there as he knows what would happen.

“I’d welcome it if he came – he needs an extra 70.3 too. Maybe bring a flat kit this time and do a bit of changing practice the day before!”

And Blummenfelt wasted no time in responding in similar spirit as he posted in the comments on the video: “Let’s do a camp in France before Nice WC and you can teach me how to fix a flat tire 🤝.”

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.  
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