Search
shop

Blummenfelt reflects on Daytona, looks ahead to “a massive 2022”

Kristian Blummenfelt on his Daytona win, and what lies ahead in 2022.
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Kristian Blummenfelt wasn’t thinking about an off-season break when he broke the tape to win CLASH Daytona on Saturday – the Norwegian only has eyes for “a massive 2022”.

The 27-year-old from Bergen finished an incredible year in style by claiming the $15,000 first prize at the iconic Florida motorsport venue. A year which included:

Instead of resting on his laurels though, ‘Big Blu’ is already looking ahead to the next 12 months – what he has already termed ‘the Ironman year’.

Blummenfelt goes back to work

When asked if he would take a break, he answered: “This is kind of what I love to do so I will go back home and start working for next year. Two big World Championships with both St George and Hawaii – and also a Sub7 in between.

“So it’s going to be a massive 2022, long-distance year. I’m just looking forward to come back racing again.”

Blummenfelt’s victory on Saturday came when he ran down Magnus Ditlev after the Dane had built a lead of around two minutes heading into T2. Any stress Kristian may have felt about that deficit was lessened by his knowledge of Ditlev’s previous races.

Kristian Blummenfelt CLASH Daytona 2021
Kristian Blummenfelt wins CLASH Daytona 2021.

He explained: “I’ve seen that both here last year and in Miami I think he (Ditlev) was riding really strong but then fading in the last half of the run. I kind of had that in mind – I didn’t want to risk going (all) out myself if he was going to do that. Trying to stay a little bit controlled on the bike as well, having the run in mind.”

Once Blummenfelt did match the catch, he turned on the jets to put the race to bed immediately.

“I thought I could just kind of pass without him trying to stay on my feet. But then I saw in the shadow that he was trying.

“I was like ‘okay there’s no reason to give anything for free here, it’s a race’ so I just tried to kind of cut that elastic band as fast as possible and open up the gap.”

Daytona no problem for Blu

It was another terrific performance to end a terrific year for the Scandinavian superstar, and it came just 13 days after that astonishing performance in Cozumel. That short gap – and coming back in distance of it – was no problem for Blummenfelt.

“I’ve done two track sessions between then and now and I’ve been feeling better and better for each run I’ve done.

“It’s not like World Triathlon sprint distance, 5k, where you have to do like 2:50 pace for the run. It’s still kind of the middle distance and 3:10 is not super-fast – it’s still endurance pace – so I thought I should have that under control.”

Written by
Editor
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...