Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt, the reigning triathlon king, is setting his sights on a new conquest: the Tour de France. The Norwegian star, aiming for a second consecutive Olympic gold in Paris 2024, has revealed plans to transition to road cycling after the Games.
Blummenfelt's coach, Olav Aleksander Bu, has confirmed that the move to professional cycling is "90 percent likely" and that the 30-year-old athlete intends to race for the coveted yellow jersey by 2028. While a contract with a UCI World Tour team is yet to be signed, the prospect of "Big Blu" tackling the world's most prestigious cycling race has sent shockwaves through the sport.
Blummenfelt's ambition is not a surprise. The Bergen native has a history of achieving the seemingly impossible. In 2020, he made history by claiming Norway's first Olympic triathlon gold medal at Tokyo. He then conquered the IRONMAN World Championships in Utah in 2022, becoming the first athlete to hold the Olympic, World Triathlon Championship Series, and IRONMAN titles simultaneously.
Bu explained the motivation behind the transition: "We go for cycling because we believe there is an opportunity to make a difference there. The research, development, technology, and approach we have are being welcomed by some teams, who understand the need for a new level of advancement."
This move signifies a bold new chapter for Blummenfelt, who is not merely seeking a new challenge but aiming to dominate another sport. His impressive track record suggests that this audacious goal might not be as far-fetched as it seems. With his proven ability to push boundaries and excel in high-pressure situations, Blummenfelt's entrance into the world of professional cycling promises an exciting and potentially game-changing era.