Kristian Blummenfelt's coach becomes head coach of Norwegian cycling team Uno-X
Olav Aleksander Bu, internationally recognized for training triathletes Kristian Blummenfelt y Magnus ditlev, has been hired by Uno-X to serve as the team's head coach.
Bu has extensive experience in research-based training and performance optimization, making him the ideal candidate for this position, according to Uno-X CEO, Thor Hushovd.
"THEBu's experience and innovative approach will elevate both our riders and coaches. We want our team to feel proud to work with someone of his caliber.“Hushovd told the Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
Bu will continue to work with Blummenfelt
Although Buu will take on his new responsibilities with One-X, he will continue to train Blummenfelt and, presumably, also to IdenBoth triathletes have been training together as they prepare for the upcoming World Championships. Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.
After Blummenfelt won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, he went on to win the Triathlon World Championship that same year (2021) and also took home the 2021 Ironman World Championship (held in 2022 in St. George, Utah).
For his part, Iden was crowned champion of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 2019 and 2021, in addition to winning the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2022, beating Sam Laidlow and Blummenfelt that year.
In 2023, Iden had to deal with the loss of her mother and an Achilles tendon injury, from which she is still recovering.
Blummenfelt has no immediate plans to join the cycling team
Despite speculation, the Norwegian triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt He has no plans to become a professional cyclist. for the time being. Hushovd confirmed that while Blummenfelt is welcome to train alongside the cycling team, there are no plans for him to switch to professional cycling immediately.
For his part, Bu, known for his analytical approach, intends to spend time getting to know the team before making any changes.I'll start by understanding how the team works. My goal is not to revolutionize, but to perfect what already works well."He explained.
The Tour de France and Blummenfelt's plans
Bu made headlines in the summer when he revealed that Blummenfelt intended to win the Tour de Francia, despite having no experience as a professional cyclist.
In an interview with Norway’s TV2, Bu said Blummenfelt had a “90% chance” of switching his focus from triathlon to cycling in 2025, with the ultimate goal of securing the yellow jersey for 2028.
Blummenfelt, who was preparing to defend his Olympic triathlon gold medal at the Paris Games, did not yet have a contract with a WorldTour team for 2025.
However, Bu expressed confidence in the plan. “We believe there is an opportunity to make a difference in cycling“, Bu explained. “Some teams are welcoming our research, technology and development, understanding that these innovations can take the sport to the next level.".
The plan for Blummenfelt was to take a gradual approach, starting with his first Grand Tour in 2026 as a test. In 2027, the goal would be to win stages before attempting to win the Tour de France overall title in 2028. “It has to be the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, it’s that simple,” Bu said.
In an interview with Velo In September, Bu reversed his previous stance regarding Blummenfelt's plans to switch to professional cycling and target the Tour de France.
Bu revealed that Blummenfelt would focus on triathlon, targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Following the Paris review, we have decided to target Los Angeles 2028,” Bu explained.. “Despite the results in Paris, we are more confident that the transition back from Ironman to the Olympic Games is possible. We want to give it one last chance.”".
Bu follows in the footsteps of other coaches
Olav Aleksander Bu is not the first triathlon coach to make the transition to cycling.
He is following in the footsteps of Dan Lorang, who is a coach at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and also trains triathletes Jan Frodeno, Anne Haug, Lucy Charles-Barclay y Taylor Knibb, who won the U.S. Time Trial Championships earlier this year, qualifying to compete in the event at the Paris Olympics.
