Blummenfelt & Madsen Dominate CHALLENGE Samarkand

Sunday 08 September 2024

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and Laura Madsen (DEN) secured decisive victories in the men’s and women’s pro races. Perfect conditions and the historic Silk Road greeted the world class field at the second edition of Challenge Samarkand.

The race began with the 1.9km swim in the pristine, purpose-built rowing canal, where conditions were perfect for fast swimming. Rico Bogen (GER) led out of the swim in 21:37 with Ruben Zepuntke (GER) hot in his heels three seconds down with Gustav Iden (NOR), Bogdan Kovalenko (KAZ) and Kristian Blummenfelt. These five dominated the bike, and the competition was fast and furious, racing at up to 70kph while maintaining the Challenge Family 20m drafting rule. Bogen took control of the race, but the ever-determined Kovalenko boldly took the lead as the men began the second lap, having the ride of his life, leading the three world champions for parts of the 90km. While the lead switched between the five throughout, it wasn’t until the final 5km that Bogen moved, quickly putting over 200m between him and the rest of the group. Bogen reclaimed the front position in the closing kilometres of the bike, posting a 1:50:46 split. He entered T2 with a 51-second lead over Kovalenko, with Zepuntke. Out on the run, Bogen held the lead for the first 10km until Blummenfelt surged past him, with Bogen unable to respond. Blummefelt the finish line as the champion with a new course record time of 3:31:52. Iden overtook Bogen in the final lap to claim second place, with Bogen holding on for third.

“I really enjoyed this race,” said Blummenfelt. “The first hour on the bike was quite steady, then Rico attacked and I felt quite flat. Next up is Kona, I will go on altitude and hopefully I will keep this form until Hawaii.”

Watch Kristian’s full finish line interview here

In the women’s race, Laura Madsen dominated from the outset, exiting the water first in 26:35, followed by Marta Lagownik and Justine Guerard, a standing that wasn’t to change throughout the duration of the race. Madsen extended her lead on the bike despite headwinds, clocking an impressive 2:04:16. Her powerful performance continued the run. With an 11:29 lead at the halfway mark, she secured the victory in 3:58:34. Lagownik and Guerard rounded out the women’s podium, in 4:08:37 and 4:17:44 respectively.

“I managed to get out of the water first, that’s a first time for me,” said Madsen. “There was a lot of wind out there on the bike and run but it was great race and the completely closed roads were amazing.”

Watch Laura’s full finish line interview here.

Challenge Samarkand has set a new standard for triathlon in the region. Blummenfelt’s record-setting win, and Madsen’s dominant performance will be remembered as highlights of this 2024 event.

For further information, visit www.challenge-samarkand.com and for full results visit https://my.raceresult.com/302037/results#0_F61BFE

CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz invites you to the spectacular cultural capital of northern Spain's Basque Country! With over a decade of triathlon heritage, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a well-known triathlon playground offering astonishing natural landscapes, rich culture, unforgettable Basque gastronomy, and the most passionate and vibrant fans that will encourage you until the finish line. more

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sunday 06 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

Reigning world champion Laura Philipp and world champion Sam Laidlow have won DATEV Challenge Roth and, in front of several hundred thousand spectators, entered the list of winners of the world's largest long-distance triathlon for the first time. Jonas Schomburg, who had to drop out in Frankfurt a week ago and so entered Roth last minute, came second and for a long time even had his sights set on the top step of the podium. more

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.