Jan Frodeno cruises to PTO US Open victory after Kristian Blummenfelt is struck down with cramp

Jan Frodeno was in supreme form as he dominated the field to clinch the 2023 PTO US Open in Milwaukee.

The 41-year-old German kept pace with the leaders during the swim and on the bike before taking command of the race in the early part of the run and never looking back, finishing the 100km course in a time of 3:14.12.

Frodeno, who is the Olympic triathlon champion and widely considered one of the greatest triathletes of all time, sealed victory by more than 25 seconds in his second-last race as a pro and just a few weeks shy of his 42nd birthday.

Behind Frodeno, the battle for second place was fierce between America’s Jason West and Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt, who suffered with cramp in the early part of the run.

And it was West who won out in the end, recovering from a mechanical issue as he transitioned onto the bike with a stunning 18km run to finish 10 seconds clear of Blummenfelt, whose wait for a PTO Tour win goes on.

France’s Mathis Margirier clinched fourth ahead of Sam Long in fifth, with David McNamee finishing as the highest-placed Brit in seventh after Tom Bishop’s withdrawal.

But the day belonged to Frodeno. The three-time Ironman world champion was imperious from start to finish.

At the end of the 2km swim in Lake Michigan, the big German was part of the eight-man breakaway group and recovered from losing 20 seconds on the bike to sit right in contention at the start of the 18km run.

From in contention, the 41-year-old seized control of the race after Blummenflet was struck down with cramp. Sensing his chance to pounce, Frodeno opened up an early gap and never looked back, extending his advantage to over a minute before West and Blummenfelt’s late charge.

He was even able to manage a smile as he cruised to the line in Milwaukee to pick up the $100,000 first prize, eventually winning by 28 seconds.

The victory bolsters Frodeno’s already impressive roll of honour as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his professional career at the Ironman World Championship in Nice.