Blummenfelt: “We train to win, not for second place”
We analyze the post-race press conference
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Two-time champion Jelle Geens and the Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt They held a press conference full of emotion and self-criticism after the World Championship HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 Marbella 2025, where both revived one of the most intense battles of recent years in middle distance.
Geens: “I thought I had lost everything when I fell”
The Belgian Jelle Geens He defended his world title in Marbella after a race as chaotic as it was epic. In the press conference, the triathlete calmly recounted how an accident during the cycling segment almost ruined his day:
“I fell in a roundabout and broke the Wahoo, as well as bending the rear derailleur. At that moment I thought I had lost everything.”
As he explained, it was Casper Stornes who advised him to stop on the uphill section to fix the problem:
“He told me to stop quickly at the top to straighten it out, and that’s what I did. Then I was able to shift back in and keep pushing.”
Despite the blow and the pain in his hip, the Belgian completed the best run of the day (1:07:35) and managed to catch Blummenfelt in the last kilometer, beating him in a close sprint.
“It was a crazy sprint. I felt like I was back in my ITU days. My legs were screaming, but my head and heart wanted it,” Geens explained.
His victory, by just three seconds, makes him the third triathlete in history to win the 70.3 World Championship consecutively.
“It wasn’t a perfect race, but winning like this tastes better,” he concluded with a smile.
Blummenfelt: “We train to win, not for second place”
The Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt He experienced the other extreme of emotion. Finishing second and with a mixture of frustration and respect, he acknowledged that the defeat hurt:
“Maybe I made my move a little late. I underestimated his final kick. It was a great battle, but coming home in second place is disappointing, because you always want to win.”
The Olympic champion admitted that the duel with Geens was "the closest thing to a Iron War version 70.3”, and that the moment of seeing the tape break in front of him was especially hard:
“We all train for that, to take that ribbon. Today it was Jelle’s turn. He was strong in swimming, cycling, and running. A complete performance.”
Although visibly upset, he closed the conference with a phrase that made it clear the rivalry will live on:
“This isn’t over. The goal remains the same: to be the best at every distance.”
A rivalry that grows and shapes a new era
Beyond the result, the press conference made it clear that the battle Geens-Blummenfelt It will mark an era. Two opposing styles —the Belgian's tactical consistency and the Norwegian's aggression— clashed in Marbella with respect, intensity, and a touch of pride.
They shook hands at the end of the press conference, amid applause and tense laughter. Geens, still sporting the smile of a champion, summed up the spirit of the day:
"I may have won by a narrow margin today, but these kinds of duels are what make this sport great."
Stornes and Schomburg, between respect and learning
The podium was completed by another Norwegian, Casper Stornes, who highlighted the tactic that allowed him to pull away from Jonas Schomburg on the last lap of the race:
“I learned from Kristian to pretend I was suffering before attacking. I did it and it worked.”
For his part, the German SchomburgFourth, he closed his first full season in middle distance satisfied with his progress: “It’s just the beginning. I’m happy with how I’ve run all year.”
A tense atmosphere and a rivalry that continues to grow
The press conference revealed both the sportsmanship and the competitive tension that currently dominates the scene of professional triathlon.
Geens y Blummenfelt They shared a final handshake, but the Norwegian hinted that his sights are already set on a rematch. “The goal remains the same: to be the best at every distance. This isn’t over.”
Meanwhile, Geens concluded with a smile: “I may have won by a narrow margin today, but these duels are what make this sport great.”
