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