IRONMAN Insider™, A Triathlon Podcast Presented by Maurten · IRONMAN Productions®

IRONMAN Insider presented by Maurten - Episode 30 - Daniel Bækkegård, Kristian Blummenfelt, and Gustav Iden

·57 min·5 clips

Daniel Bakkegaard shares how torn discs almost ended his career, until a holistic coach changed everything.

This episode features host Matt Lieto interviewing triathletes Daniel Bækkegård, Kristian Blummenfelt, and Gustav Iden ahead of the IRONMAN World Championship men's race in Nice. Bækkegård discusses his recent physical struggles and new coaching partnership, Blummenfelt analyzes the demanding course and race tactics, and Iden reflects on his journey back to confidence after a difficult period. Daniel Bækkegård explains he has been managing two torn discs in his back, stemming from years of extensive travel and inadequate recovery. He started working with coach Philipp Seibt in December, who focuses on holistic athlete health over rigid training schedules. Bækkegård notes the pressure of a world championship remains, but the atmosphere in Nice feels more relaxed than in Kona. His primary goal for the race is to finish in the top five. Kristian Blummenfelt details his specific two-month preparation on the Nice course, including a recent 90% bike course recon. He describes the bike leg as featuring a 50-minute climb early on, technical descents, and a flat, demanding run along the promenade. Blummenfelt expects athletes like Sam Laidlow, Jan Frodeno, and Jonas Schomburg to create aggressive dynamics on the swim and bike. He believes the race will be decided by who can best manage their effort to run a fast marathon. Gustav Iden shares that he simplified his approach over the last year, training closely with Kristian Blummenfelt and Casper Stornes. He completed a key workout involving most of the bike course and three 9k run intervals at race pace. Iden states that transitioning from a winning streak to a period without victories challenged his identity as an athlete. He feels he now has a great chance to win in Nice, a sentiment he hasn't expressed in the last two years. Bækkegård finds it surprising that coach Philipp Seibt's training plans are "the most unsexy" and conventional, contrasting with his holistic reputation. Blummenfelt reveals a strategic insight that leading athletes must open gaps early on the bike for psychological advantage, while chasers must remain patient. Iden's memorable moment is recalling a 2019 incident where a fan at the top of Col de Vence asked for a photo of Blummenfelt and questioned if Iden was also racing. The tone is conversational and insider-focused, blending casual athlete interviews with technical race analysis. The style is educational for dedicated triathlon fans, offering a behind-the-scenes look at elite preparation and mindset. Triathlon enthusiasts and athletes wanting a pre-race breakdown of the Nice course and contender insights would love this episode. Listeners seeking highly produced narrative storytelling or debates on broader sports topics might want to skip it.

As heard by us

Race-week tension and pre-race intent drive this championship check-in.

Race week in Nice gives this Ironman World Championship Men's Race special a quieter, tighter shape. Matt Lieto talks with Daniel Bakkegaard and Kristian Blummenfelt in the lead-up to race day, keeping the focus on prep, the mood of the week, and what each man thinks he can do…

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Why you'd press play

You want a race-week read on three pre-race favorites before Nice.

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