The answer, in long distance, begins to become uncomfortable: practically no one. Three consecutive victories, ability to come back in any scenario and a superiority already sustained over time. Even when the race gets twisted, the Norwegian shows up in the fight.
Hawaii is still there as a nuance - the heat, the humidity, the wear and tear - but everyone has suffered there. What he has done in recent months leaves no room for many interpretations: today, he is the big favorite every time he puts on a long-distance bib. IRONMAN Texas only confirms this.
An unlabeled world championship
Texas has become more than a test of the calendar. The North American Championship label no longer fully explains what happens there. This year, thirteen of the top fifteen from the last World Championship in Nice took the start: Marten Van Riel, Casper Stornes, Vincent Luis, Gustav Iden, Rudy Von Berg, Jonas Schomburg, the debutant Jelle Geens - IRONMAN 70.3 world champion. A field that, not so long ago, would have defined by
Some were unable to complete the equation. Patrick Lange dropped out after a career that never quite fit him. Antonio Benito failed to stay in the fight. Sam Long and Lionel Sanders were far from their best. In that context, Blummenfelt defended the title and signed one of the best times ever.
A victory built step by step
Without neoprene and with humidity close to 90%, swimming left a compact front group with all the favorites well positioned. Blummenfelt came out into that group without taking unnecessary risks, while Van Riel, Schomburg, and others set the pace.
The bike started selecting. Groups were formed, there were cuts and the Norwegian momentarily lost contact with his head, although he always remained within the margin that allows him to continue aspiring to everything. A mechanical problem in the rear wheel could have compromised the race, but he continued without drama, knowing that his terrain was about to arrive.
The marathon was a steady progression. While others paid for the accumulated effort, Blummenfelt cut back on time. Van Riel held on for much of the second half, holding a minimum distance. With about ten kilometres to go, the race was definitely broken: the Norwegian went solo towards the finish line, crossing the line in 7:21:24, just a few seconds above his best time on record.
Behind, Van Riel scored an outstanding performance to be second in 7:22:56, while Casper Stornes completed the podium in 7:23:50. Vincent Luis was fourth - and finally achieved the dream of traveling to Kona - and Rudy Von Berg fifth. The first ten were down from 7 hours and 33 minutes.
Blummenfelt doesn't just win - it controls, manages and decides when to do it. That's the problem for the rest.