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.

‘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.

‘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 🤝.”