Talking Triathlon

This week James sits down with Kristian Blummenfelt. They start with how he's approaching 2025, including Nice and 70.3 Worlds, before looking ahead to Ironman New Zealand in 2026 and the early season races in Geelong and Oceanside. They get into 20m drafting and the current Ironman Pro Series standings, before talking through T100 vs the Pro Series and how he's trying to balance both. Ironman Texas is a big focus, what he expects there and what comes after, including how 70.3 Worlds 2026 and Kona fit into his plans. They finish with bucket list races and whether winning the Tour de France is something he genuinely thinks about. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can follow Kristian at https://www.instagram.com/kristianblu

Sam Laidlow has kicked off a proper debate around TUEs, pushing for transparency and launching a petition to make the information public. We weigh in with our thoughts on TUEs in pro triathlon. At T100 Gold Coast, Taylor Knibb is back doing what she does, taking the win ahead of Jess Fullagar and Imogen Simmonds, even with the field already starting to thin out. Geelong 70.3 was ridiculous. Kristian Blummenfelt ran 1:06 to beat Jelle Geens and Hayden Wilde in a crazy, genuinely entertaining race. Kat Matthews was just as solid on the women's side and never really looked under pressure. Oceanside 70.3 is next and the start list is stacked. Blummenfelt lines up again alongside Gustav Iden, Casper Stornes and Jonas Schomburg, while Solveig Løvseth, Paula Findlay and Taylor Knibb headline the women's race. For 50% OFF the entire Huub range of goggles use the code "goggle-50" at https://huubdesign.com ENTER THE ULTIMATE TRIATHLON RAFFLE: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/james-bale To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

We kick things off with The Ultimate Triathlon Raffle, where James is closing in but still needs another £500, so the prize list has stepped up again. Lucy Charles-Barclay potentially racing the Commonwealth Games leads into a wider conversation, before we touch on Sam Laidlow's marathon. At 70.3 Dallas, Lionel Sanders is back to winning, which is impressive in itself, but even more so given he managed to lose 40 seconds in a 350m swim and still take the race. In Lanzarote, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Laura Lindemann and Sophie Evans were all back racing, which is a good sign as the short course season builds. T100 Gold Coast continues to take hits, with Julie Derron now out, and we run through what's left of the women's field with Taylor Knibb, Jess Fullagar, Natalie Van Coevorden and Ellie Salthouse. Geelong 70.3 has quickly become one of the races of the weekend, with Kristian Blummenfelt lining up against Hayden Wilde and Jelle Geens. And then there's Oceanside 70.3, where the start list is stacked across the board. For 50% OFF the entire Huub range of goggles use the code "goggle-50" at https://huubdesign.com ENTER THE ULTIMATE TRIATHLON RAFFLE: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/james-bale To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

We start with an unusual story involving Brayden Currie after he had an incident with a cow. From there we review Ironman New Zealand, starting with the broadcast before getting into the racing itself. In the men's race Trevor Foley took the win ahead of Pierre Le Corre, while Kristian Blummenfelt had a tough day that could now put his Ironman Pro Series campaign in a difficult position. We then move to the women's race where Kat Matthews delivered a dominant performance to take the win ahead of Hannah Berry. Attention then turns to the T100 Gold Coast where injuries are already starting to affect the field, with Ashleigh Gentle, Kate Waugh and Lucy Byram all withdrawing from the season opener. We finish with the announcement of the Geelong 70.3 start list which has quickly become one of the most interesting races of the weekend. Kat Matthews is back on the start line again, while in the men's race Kristian Blummenfelt will line up against Jelle Geens and Hayden Wilde. For 50% OFF the entire Huub range of goggles use the code "goggle-50" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

We start with the full Challenge Roth start list which just keeps getting stronger. Laura Philipp has now been added to the women's field, setting up a potential showdown with Kat Matthews in what could quickly become a race against the Ironman world best time. The men's field has also been bolstered with the additions of Sam Laidlow, Rico Bogen, Jonas Schomburg and Patrick Lange, creating a lineup where the pace could be pushed from the start. Lionel Sanders is back doing Lionel Sanders things, saying he is once again all in on Kona and describing the race as his Olympics as he builds his season around October. From there we run through the full T100 Gold Coast start list which now includes short course athletes Jess Fullagar and Nicole van der Kaay stepping into the series. We finish with Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. Kristian Blummenfelt leads the men's race but the field also includes Mike Phillips, Kyle Smith and Pierre Le Corre. On the women's side Kat Matthews headlines the race. For 10% OFF the entire Huub range use the code "Talkingtriathlon10" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

This week we start with Kristian Blummenfelt confirming he'll race Challenge Roth. The discussion quickly turns to whether Roth could be the place he finally breaks the Ironman world record in a way that truly stands, given the ongoing debate around his tide-assisted swim in Cozumel. We then move to Kat Matthews, also lining up for Roth, and the growing question of whether Laura Philipp will join her on the start line. With the women's field already looking strong, the potential matchup adds another layer of intrigue to the race. From there, we zoom out and talk more broadly about Challenge Roth itself, the event, the brand, and why it continues to attract the biggest names in long-distance racing outside the Ironman system. We then recap Challenge Wanaka, where Jack Moody and Tamara Jewett took convincing wins. The conversation shifts to Lionel Sanders and his 2026 season, including the notable decision not to race Oceanside, a race he has historically performed very well at. We finish the episode discussing a recent LinkedIn post about the PTO actively sourcing celebrities and influencers for races, and whether that focus makes sense when many believe the priority should remain on professional athletes. For 10% OFF the entire Huub range use the code "Talkingtriathlon10" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

This week we start with a big result for Maya Kingma, who has won her first professional cycling race. After previously talking about triathletes trying to make the jump into cycling, it's a result that feels genuinely significant. We then move to Lucy Charles-Barclay, who has undergone surgery, and where that leaves her as she looks ahead to the rest of the season. From there, the conversation turns to Lionel Sanders. Lionel has suggested this might be his final Kona, which has led many to wonder whether retirement could be closer than expected. As always, even a small comment from Lionel quickly becomes a talking point. We then shift focus to racing in the southern hemisphere, starting with Challenge Wanaka. With both the pro series and T100 kicking off in the south this year, Wanaka is well placed to benefit from that early-season momentum. Next up is the Ironman New Zealand start list, where names like Kristian Blummenfelt, Kat Matthews, and Kyle Smith give the race real weight. We finish the episode by looking ahead to the T100 Gold Coast, and what this season could have in store as the series continues to take shape. For 10% OFF the entire Huub range use the code "Talkingtriathlon10" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

We start this week with Maya Kingma. On a previous episode we were talking about triathletes trying to become cyclists, and Maya is proof that it can actually be done. We dig into her move, why it matters, and what it says about crossover potential at the very top end of endurance sport. From there we go deep on the Professional Triathletes Organisation acquisition of Challenge Family. We break down the pros and cons, not just for professional racing but for amateur athletes as well, and try to separate hype from reality. The biggest question hanging over the deal is what it means for Challenge Roth, and whether a T200 distance could realistically emerge. That opens up a wider discussion around market power, monopolies, and how much consolidation is too much for the sport. We also look at what this means for Ironman. Will they react, or will they sit back and use the situation to their advantage? We finish by stepping back and asking a bigger question. If you could design the ideal professional triathlon race setup from scratch, what would it actually look like? For 10% OFF the entire Huub range use the code "Talkingtriathlon10" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

This week on Talking Triathlon we start with a recap of Challenge Sir Bani Yas, where Jonas Schomburg took the win in the men's race and Katrine Græsbøll Christensen claimed victory in the women's. We break down how the race played out and what it told us about early season form. We then turn to Hayden Wilde after he said he had multiple professional cycling contracts on the table, and discuss how realistic that claim is and whether elite triathletes could genuinely step into the professional peloton. Jelle Geens has also said he wants to win Kona, and we dig into why he might be exactly the type of athlete who could make that leap successfully, along with what would need to go right for it to happen. The episode finishes with a deep dive into Supertri's newly announced 2026 format. With sprint races folded into mass participation events and a single standalone Grand Final, we talk through our disappointment with the direction of the series. That leads into a broader discussion about the uncomfortable reality facing the sport, that triathlon has struggled to monetise broadcast, costs continue to rise, and amateur athletes are increasingly frustrated with how expensive the sport has become. For 10% OFF the entire Huub range use the code "Talkingtriathlon10" at https://huubdesign.com To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon here: https://melbmara2026.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/tim-ford

This week on Talking Triathlon we ask the big question behind the episode title: can Kristian Blummenfelt win Kona? We dive into Kristian's extraordinary VO2 numbers and discuss what they actually tell us, whether they translate to Ironman world championship success? We also cover the rebrand of the Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team, with Bianchi stepping in as title sponsor after replacing BMC, and what that means for podcast hosts who have already ordered a Bianch TT bike. From there we discuss Ironman's new 20 metre draft zone rule and while we think it is good for fair racing, it will be bad for broadcast and fans of the sport. Looking ahead to the weekend, we preview Challenge Sir Bani Yas with a strong field including Pierre Le Corre, Emil Holm, Henri Schoeman, Fenella Langridge, Natalie Van Coevorden and Ellie Salthouse. We also recap racing from Qatar, where Brad Weiss took the men's win and Rachel Klamer claimed victory in the women's race. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14 You can donate to Tim's Marathon Charity

This week on Talking Triathlon we are back and take stock of where the sport sits heading into 2026. We start with what we noticed over the break, running through the triathlon headlines that shaped the off season and set the tone for the year ahead. We then look at the updated PTO World Rankings and the impact of changes to how they are now measured. With the rankings now closely tied to the T100 series, it is no surprise that the athletes who raced and won the series are sitting at the top, with Kate Waugh and Hayden Wilde both ranked world number one. We also question how legitimate the rankings are now and what they are really designed to represent. From there we look ahead to 2026 as a whole, talking through the major race series, what we are most excited to see unfold and what we hope the sport delivers over the next twelve months. We break that down across Ironman, WTCS, T100, Supertri and Challenge, discussing how each series is shaping up and where the big storylines could emerge as the season gets underway. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14

This week on Talking Triathlon we close out 2025 with our final episode of the year. We start by breaking down the T100 Grand Final in Qatar before diving into one of the biggest stories in the sport, the proposed merger between the PTO and World Triathlon and what it could mean for the future of professional racing. From there we unpack the massive changes announced for Supertri in 2026 and share our thoughts on where the series is heading. We then turn our attention to the 2025 Podcast Awards, handing out our end of year honours including Female Triathlete of the Year, Male Triathlete of the Year, Racing Moment of the Year, Non Racing Moment of the Year, Race of the Year, the Lionel Award, WTF Moment of the Year and the Most Exciting Moment of the Year. As we head into a four week break, we are not disappearing completely. We will be releasing bonus episodes every week on Patreon during the off season, so there will still be plenty of Talking Triathlon content to keep you going until we return in 2026. Thanks for listening throughout the year and we will see you on the other side. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14

This week on Talking Triathlon we start with Alex Yee's unbelievable 2:06 marathon and what it means for the sport. We talk about how performances like this show that triathletes are not just competent across three disciplines but genuinely world-class athletes. We also ask the big question: should Alex consider focusing on the marathon for LA 2028? From there we head to La Quinta 70.3 where Lionel Sanders made his long-awaited return, Sam Long took the win and Kirsten Kasper impressed in one of her first real attempts at the 70.3 distance. In Bahrain, Vincent Luis delivered another outrageous run that made us question why he thinks he should retire next year, and Georgia Taylor-Brown continued to look better every time she steps up to middle distance. Ironman Western Australia gets some brief but deserved attention, including a strong showing from Lotte Wilms. Then we dig into the T100 Grand Final picture. The men's title looks almost locked up with Hayden Wilde, while the women's race remains wide open with Lucy Charles-Barclay, Kate Waugh and Julie Derron all still in realistic contention heading into Qatar. We also look at the newly announced T100 2026 season schedule and discuss whether we think the series will genuinely follow through on the plan next year. To close out the episode, we give our nominations for the 2025 Podcast Awards. TT PODCAST To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14

This week Tim is back and finally gives his thoughts on all the drama that unfolded at T100 Dubai. We then move to the big news of the week, with Vincent Luis announcing that 2026 will be his final season and Els Visser set to retire this weekend. But the headline story is Lionel Sanders. With Lionel confirmed to return at La Quinta 70.3, we talk through what we can expect from his comeback, how competitive he can still be and what his future in the sport realistically looks like from here. We also preview a stacked Bahrain 70.3 featuring Vincent Luis, Vasco Vilaça and Georgia Taylor-Brown, before turning to Ironman Western Australia where Nick Thompson, Mike Phillips and Matt Burton headline the men's field and Fenella Langridge, Els Visser and Lotte Wilms lead the women's race. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14

This week on Talking Triathlon Andy Horsfall-Turner replaces Tim and joins James to unpack a massive weekend of racing. We open with Andy's experience at the 70.3 World Championships and his first-hand perspective on how the event unfolded. James is then joined by Tim Hemming to unpack the chaos of T100 Dubai, a race that turned into a complete debacle. We break down Hayden Wilde being sent into an extra lap on the bike, the widespread confusion that saw nearly the entire men's field run one lap too few, and the messy aftermath before Morgan Pearson was ultimately confirmed as the winner. In the women's race Julie Derron managed to rise above the disarray to take the victory. To close the show we turn to Ironman Arizona, analysing the key results, standout efforts and what the race tells us as we head toward 2025. To support the podcast please head to: patreon.com/talkingtriathlon To watch this podcast as a video visit: https://bit.ly/3vzSss2 Or check us out on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingtriathlon You can follow James at https://www.instagram.com/bale.james85 You can follow Tim at https://www.instagram.com/tford14