Farewell to the Tour de France! Blummenfelt focuses on Kona and the 2028 Olympics

Kristian Blummenfelt, the Norwegian triathlete who thrilled the world with his ambitious plan to conquer the Tour de France, has taken a step back.

Now Blummenfelt has decided put aside his cycling dream and refocus on triathlon, with his sights set on the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The news comes after statements from his coach, Olav Aleksander Bu, who revealed that they were not satisfied with the athlete's performance at the Paris Olympics.

According to Bu, in an interview with Norway's TV2, there was a “90% chance” that the triathlete would dedicate himself fully to cycling from 2025. This plan included detailed preparation, ranging from learning advanced cycling techniques to implementing innovations in his training and equipment.

However, unsatisfactory results at the Paris Olympics led to Blummenfelt and his team to reevaluate their priorities.After analysing the results following the Paris Games, we have decided to change course. The goal now is to qualify and succeed in Los Angeles 2028, with the certainty that the transition from Ironman to the Olympic Games is viable.”

Blummenfelt, who just 13 days after competing in the mixed relay at the Olympic Games, was crowned champion in the Ironman European Championship Frankfurt, continues to demonstrate his quality as an elite triathlete in the maximum distance.

His triumph in Germany places him as one of the favourites for the Kona Ironman World Championship, which will be held next month.

However, the reality of professional cycling, with its complexity and high demands, seems to have been a key factor in the final decision.

Blummenfelt will focus on continuing his dominance in triathlon, and his return to IRONMAN with a view to Kona and the 2028 Olympic Games is a clear sign of his commitment to the sport that brought him to the top.