In this episode from race week in Nice, France, host Matt Lieto sits down with three of the biggest names in triathlon ahead of the IRONMAN World Championship: Daniel Bækkegård, Kristian Blummenfelt, and Gustav Iden.

First, Daniel Bækkegård shares his journey through a challenging few years marked by injuries, including two torn discs in his back that led to inconsistent training. He discusses the positive impact of his new coach, Philip Seipp, and Seipp's holistic approach that focuses on the entire ecosystem of an athlete's life. Bækkegård also contrasts the high-pressure "spotlight" of Kona with the more relaxed, "laid back" atmosphere of Nice, where the city itself helps athletes stay more centered.

Next, Kristian Blummenfelt details his meticulous preparation, having spent months training on the Nice course to familiarize himself with its unique demands5. He breaks down the bike course, describing it as having "a little bit of everything," from steep and long climbs to technical descents where comfort and nutrition are key. Blummenfelt analyzes the race dynamics, anticipating aggressive tactics from competitors like Sam Laidlow, but remains confident in his ability to stay collected, even after a poor swim, and leverage his run.

Finally, Gustav Iden opens up about the significant shift in his career since his 2019 victory in Nice. He speaks candidly about the mental struggle of going from a multi-year winning streak to a period of disappointing results, which challenged his identity as a "winner". Now, with renewed confidence fueled by strong training sessions, Iden states he has a "great chance of winning this race" and believes a sub-2:30 marathon is possible on Sunday.