Erling Haaland’s ‘monster’ exploits are inspiring compatriot Kristian Blummenfelt’s pursuit of ticking off more triathlon goals in Ibiza.
And the reigning Olympic champion says more events like the inaugural Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) European Open can help narrow the gap in profile between his sport and football in Norway.
Blummenfelt, 29, will compete in the first ever edition of the race this weekend alongside a star-studded field on the idyllic Balearic island.
The event features every Olympic champion since Beijing 2008 as two-time gold medallist Alistair Brownlee and Jan Frodeno, who grabbed glory in China 15 years ago, will also do battle in the Spanish sun.
Blummenfelt has watched Norwegian hitman Haaland, 22, rack up a staggering 51 goals for Manchester City this season and break the Premier League record for most strikes in a campaign – 35 – against West Ham on Wednesday night.
The two-time Ironman world champion admits Haaland’s exploits have ignited his passion for football and hopes innovative events like the PTO’s European Open can help further enhance the visibility of his sport in Scandinavia.
He said: “I’m wasn’t too much of a big a football fan, but I’m watching all of Erling’s post-match videos to see the goals he’s scoring.
“I’ve suddenly turned into a Manchester City fan because of what he’s doing.
“It’s cool to see how he’s breaking all the records and inspiring to see him do those monster performances.
“I don’t think they care too much at home if I win in Ibiza – I think they care more if he’s scoring goals!
“But hopefully the PTO tour can change that to make triathlon more publicly available and get interest higher.
“Of course, it’s great to see what Erling’s been doing – and I want to come at the top of the podium this weekend.”
Blummenfelt clinched Olympic gold by beating British star Alex Yee and New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde in Tokyo.
And that saw him add his name to an illustrious line of 21st century champions, following in the footsteps of German great Frodeno, 41, and Britain’s Brownlee, 35, who grabbed gold in Beijing, London and Rio.
Blummenfelt and Brownlee have locked horns before but the trailblazing Ibiza event will be the first time the trio have all raced against each other.
And it’s fair to say Blummenfelt, who is now beginning to ramp up preparations for the Paris Games next summer, is relishing the challenge.
“This will be the first, and probably, last time me, Alistair and Jan will race against each other,” he added.
“So I’m excited for many different reasons – it’s the first race of the PTO season and on the road to Paris.
“The start field is so stacked – the PTO have attracted the best of the best so it should be a great show.
“I have one chance – and I want to take advantage of that chance and do as good as I can.
“It’s great what the PTO are doing – they’re really lifting the whole level of long distance sport and making it professional.
“They create a hype around the build-up to the event and make people realise there’s a race coming up this Saturday.
“It feels like you’re building up to a race in advance, counting down to it and that the makes people want to then follow the race live as it’s happening.”
The PTO European Open races take place on Saturday 6 May, with the men starting at 0815 CET and the women at 0945 CET. Both will be broadcast live on Eurosport 2 from 0800 CET
