Yes, noted the same in the newest episode. So co fusing when they continue to talk.
In the latest epsiode, it made me chuckle when Talbot couldn’t believe that Jason West could really benefit from the 20m draft. Mark just had to point out that West biked several minutes faster this year compared to 2023. Would be nice to see in future races if others with a similar profile as West (front-pack swim, weak bike, strong run) would indeed see faster bike times. My guess is this is good news for the likes of Lange and Geens for Kona.
Tbh I think that it boils down to West being used to having to bike on his own a lot of the time, so this impacting him less than others that would normally save a lot more energy at 12m…
yes geens has historically really struggled in the 20 meter draft zone in t 100 … and sam long was always top in t100 races 2025 as it so much played into his cards …
ie it was relatively clear not too much would change, and it would more affect a few in a positive or negative way.
and likewise races are not more boring or races end up in chaos because of the change.
a lot of noise for not much change ,but overall a positive change I would say , and nobody can complain now .
now lets get to no drafting in the water to make tri “fairer”
Oceanside I think was a pretty good test of the new bike rules to compare with previous races since it always has a pretty stacked field.
We ended up with a couple front bikers and then a huge group behind. For the most part, the front bikers stayed at the front in the final standings, with only some competition from two of the best triathletes in the world putting real pressure on their positions.
I’ll note that Sam Long has run a 1:10 in St George before, which is at least an equally difficult bike course, and a slightly harder run course. Not that everything can be easily comparable, but it seems probable, at least, that Sam’s back and forth with Jonas on the bike and run might have hurt him more, where in StG 2024 he was able to focus more on something resembling more of a solo time trial.
In any case, the 20m draft rules didn’t make this race any less exciting, in my view. Maybe the women’s field might have put more pressure on Knibb. Maybe the men would have ran more time into Sam. The quality of the field kept things interesting and Ironman really is getting things dialed with the multiple cameras.
I’m guessing the 20m will make the bike decisions more tactical than before, but the answer of which way to fall in the tactics on the bike become more of a crap shoot.
DID I HEAR THE NEXT EPISODE is how to use the PRO TRI NEWS WEBISTE???
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…
Just take a week off guys. pretty sure websites are a common practice by now.
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Most of us fast forward unless Mark or Pat are speaking.
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Yeah if I hear Talbot pronounce another G like a K I’m goink to lose it.
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Talbot going off in the latest episode on someone who said that IM is not paying athletes enough as a low IQ comment is nothing by ironic. Sure the guy who posted that was a bit clickbaity by saying IM is scamming pros. But then Talbot gives a more low IQ comment comparing T100’s total prize pool vs IM’s i.e., 60+ races vs 9 races. Good thing Pat was there to cover his bum. Maybe PTN can do another survey to ask the pros if they think the prize money is enough.
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Moritz Events co has reduced the money they’re paying out. Probably gets reduced again next year but just enough to keep their races higher ranked.
I just listened to the episode and agree it was a very bad moment for Talbot. Isn’t he quite open about his religious devotion? That’s not how I’d expect someone steeped in faith to talk. And I’ll admit, I found the language more off putting because it resembled a little too closely that of the faux-Christian huckster sitting in the White House.
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Their hypocrisy is very annoying. I have no problem with religion, but somehow Americans always make religion about themselves. His (and Kyle’s) beliefs and voting were once a topic where Mark at one point on Instagram mouthed off at people asking him in private how he was friends with the likes of them. To be honest, it’s what I don’t understand about their friendship dynamic with them voting for and supporting a president who talks about fallen British military like he did. I would have thought that to be a line for Mark somehow, but we clearly don’t know these people.
Talbot was a Trump supporter before the, uh, unleashing of the current line of social media posts by the White House resident.
I haven’t seen or heard him say anything about politics since that “before” time.
are you saying nobody could have foreseen that ?
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His timeline on Instagram and Threads was pretty clear. All against “the libs”, bless Trump and Charlie was the best. If he changed his mind that would be pretty recent.
I’d actually say that says everything about Mark that you want it to say. That he can still be friends with someone and find common ground with people from different political viewpoints is exactly what we want in society.
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I agree up to a point. Everyone has a line that you cannot cross. I can find common ground with many people and get along or work with very different kind of people with very different beliefs than me. It’s not uncommon or a foreign concept to me. It’s different to actual true friendship. I will for example not maintain friendship with a very racist or bigoted person. Unfortunately, some colleagues or family members are quite racist, I don’t actively avoid them at work or family diners.
Guy’s let not go too far down the Coffee Shop political rabbit hole over here. I will say regarding Talbot’s comment about pro prize money at IM events, Mark’s counterpoint really put that notion to bed. There is a point where a pro brings zero value to an IM event for IM.
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I think the bigger picture of PTN sorta squashes any political bullshit that may arise. I think they are all very successful people on their own, but collectively they are basically a strong brand that is basically rolled into 1 identity so to speak. So I think they all sorta have to roll with the baggage that each brings to the table so to speak.
So do I think there is any “true friendship” there? I don’t know, it would be almost wrong of me to judge. Do I think they are sorta together now because of the success that is PTN now? Absolutely, so whether they are true friends or not would almost be inconsequential at this point.
Somebody could have foreseen that, for sure. But it did escalate by quite a lot. It’s way worse than I thought. SNL Cold Opens are now indistinguishable from reality. My thesis is that Talbot’s support of Trump may have cooled, as has that of many voters.