Search
shop

PTO Asian Open: Globetrotting Blu heads top seven showdown in Singapore

An all-star cast has been announced for the inaugural PTO Asian Open on 20 August.
News Director
Last updated -

Any fears that its close proximity to the 70.3 World Championship could dilute the fields at the inaugural PTO Asian Open have been well and truly dispelled judging by the men’s line up which has just been announced.

For all of the top seven in the PTO world rankings will line up in Singapore on Sunday 20 August – headed by Norwegian pair Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden, the reigning 70.3 and IRONMAN World Champions respectively.

Advertisement

Blu looking to win it all

Olympic champion Blummenfelt – who will embark on a whirlwind trip of three races across two continents in ten days as he competes in the Olympic test event in Paris on 18 August, followed by the PTO Asian Open two days later before he returns to Europe for the IRONMAN 70.3 Worlds in Finland on 27 August – has been very clear that he is travelling to win.

He said: “I want to race the best athletes, when the prize fund is high and it’s all on the line. That is exactly what it’s like in a PTO Tour race, so the PTO Asian Open is another great opportunity for me to perform and as I’ve said many times before, I love to win and I hate to lose.”

Neumann Blummenfelt Ditlev PTO European Open men podium Ibiza 2023 photo credit: PTO
The top three at the PTO European Open – Blummenfelt, Neumann and Ditlev [Photo credit: PTO]

Taking him on will be #3 ranked Magnus Ditlev following the Dane’s astonishing performance in winning Challenge Roth for the second year in succession and in a record time.

But both Blummenfelt and Ditlev were beaten in the PTO European Open in Ibiza in May by Max Neumann – and the Aussie is confident of a repeat.

He said: “The win in Ibiza was definitely the biggest of my career to date, so having another opportunity to back it up in Singapore against all the best athletes in the world is one I’m looking forward to.

“I think freshness is key and not over racing and not over training. It’s a very hard thing to master, but I’ve not raced since Ibiza and put in some solid training blocks in Australia, similar to what I did ahead of that win.”

Laidlow looking to return

Last year’s Kona runner-up Sam Laidlow will also be in the mix providing he has recovered from the calf tear he sustained in that Roth race.

Writing on Instagram, he said: “My calf is healing up real nice and I’ll be looking to race in Singapore, IMWC in Nice and then a few more Challenge Family races to round out the season.”

Rounding out the top seven are American duo Sam Long and Ben Kanute.

The other names announced so far for what will be a 20-strong field – 10 fewer than both the European and US Opens – are Daniel Baekkegard, Aaron Royle, Pieter Heemeryck, Florian Angert, Jason West, Bradley Weiss and Denis Chevrot.

Two more automatic qualifiers will be confirmed in due course and four wildcard selections will also be added this Friday.

The women’s field looks incredibly strong too, full details on that here.

PTO Asian Open Start List – Men

PTO Asian Open 2023 start list graphic
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.  
Discover more
Challenge Family Kaiserwinkle-Walchsee triathlon bike
The ultimate triathlon bike courses to ride before you die
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
sumarpo triathlon swimming wetsuit
Wetsuit buying guide – How to choose the best wetsuit for triathlon, open water swimming, SwimRun and cold water
latest News
Joe Skipper IRONMAN Lake Placid Results 2023
British triathlon star Joe Skipper challenges Norwegian greats as he flies off for comeback race
gustav-iden-kristian-blummenfelt-kona-2022-run-7
IRONMAN reveals list of BANNED super shoes for 2025 triathlon season
Ruth Daniels British Triathlon CEO
British Triathlon CEO on her first year in charge and trying to move the dial from surviving to thriving
Alex Yee run palm trees Torremolinos WTCS Grand Final 2024 photo credit World Triathlon
Why the London Marathon can make Olympic champ Alex Yee EVEN BETTER at triathlon
Lionel Sanders training pic August 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Lionel Sanders details new training mantra ahead of 2025 triathlon season
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...