Just 36 hours before Challenge Samarkand takes place, some of the world’s top professional athletes just gathered at the race’s press conference. Kristian Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden, Rico Bogen, Laura Madsen and Nicole van der Kaay were not only full of praise for the historic city and the state-of-the-art race venue, but above all, expect a very interesting battle that might turn out differently than usual.
According to the athletes themselves, this is mainly because there is a relatively small professional field racing Challenge Samarkand, while the field is consisting of some of the world’s best athletes though. Blummenfelt explains. “Because of the small field, it will be difficult to hide in the pack, which definitely will make this race different than what we’re used to. The course here is amazing and really fast, with smooth tarmac for both the bike and run courses. Hydration is going to be very important, because it was hot the last few days and it won’t be any different the next few days.”
Kristian Blummenfelt: ‘Hopefully we can end the year with a victory’
Blummenfelt looks back on a remarkable year, in which he had successes but also disappointments. “After Frankfurt, this race can help me forget the Paris Olympics (where he finished twelfth, ed.) and hopefully we can end the year with a victory here and then in Kona.”
Gustav Iden: ‘The band is back together’
To win Challenge Samarkand, Blummenfelt will have to beat compatriot and friend Gustav Iden, among others. For Iden it has been two tough years, with many setbacks, but a few weeks back he won Challenge Turku and with it his first race of 2024. “Of course it was nice to win Challenge Turku; it’s nice to add a new victory and it’s good for motivation. But, as an athlete I can feel in trainings if I’m in a good shape or not and to be honest I think I simply can’t beat Kristian or Rico at this moment. It’s a long way back to the top, but at least I’m on my way back. Sometimes you just need to accept that you can’t win everything. In any case, it’s nice to be able to train and race together with Kristian again. The band is back together.”
Rico Bogen: ‘I definitely love the feeling of winning’
Perhaps a bigger favorite than Iden – and probably the biggest challenger to Blummenfelt – is Bogen. The reigning IM 70.3 world champion does nuance the situation himself. “It’s very cool to race against the Norwegians. But, I think they are both legends already, while I’m only a rising star. I think I’m one of the favorites for Sunday, but we’ll see what happens.” Of course, Bogen had some brief contact with Frederic Funk, his compatriot who won the first edition of Challenge Samarkand last year. “He told me it’s a very cool race and the people are very kind. I hope I can take a win for Germany again. I definitely love that feeling of winning: there’s almost nothing in life that’s comparable to it. That’s what drives me.”
Nicole van der Kaay: ‘I’m optimistic, but I will definitely enter a gray zone’
An exciting battle is expected in the women’s race, including Laura Madsen and Nicole van der Kaay. The contrast between the two athletes could hardly be bigger: Madsen began Middle Distance racing immediately as a young triathlete – and thus never competed over shorter distances – while Van der Kaay, on the other hand, made a name for herself within the Short Distance scene, competing in Paris at the Olympics just last month and will make her Middle Distance debut Sunday at Challenge Samarkand. “But training for Middle Distance is pretty similar to training for Short Distance: at most, you add some kilometers to your rides and runs. I definitely like the speed of Short Distance racing, but keeping your pacing at the Middle Distance I think suits me better as an athlete. I am optimistic for race day, but I definitely will enter a gray zone,” said Van der Kaay, who also told she felt privileged to race all over the world and this time in Uzbekistan.
Laura Madsen: ‘It’s fun to race against Short Distance specialists’
Laura Madsen is already looking forward to the wonderful battle that will undoubtedly unfold between the women. “The swim will probably be very fast, as is always with Short Distance athletes. After that, I hope to do on the bike what I’m used to do and then see where that puts me at the run. It’s fun to race against Short Distance specialists: it’s different and interesting.”
