Save for 12-time champion Cameron Brown, few triathletes have a more intimate knowledge of the pointy end of Ironman New Zealand races than Mike Phillips.
The 35-year-old Cantabrian is a three-time champion in Taupō and after lowering the course record to 7:45:47 last year, he enters Saturday as the local benchmark.
But the home race hero has rarely faced a challenge like this.
Kristian Blummenfelt is an Olympic champion, a former Ironman and 70.3 World Championship winner, the reigning Pro Series champion and current PTO world No.7.
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At 32, the Norwegian is a generational talent with a CV few can touch, the obvious headline act ahead in what Ironman are billing as the deepest professional field in the event’s 42-year history.
Blummenfelt’s mere presence, his maiden appearance in Aotearoa, signals that Anzco Foods IMNZ 2026 is a different kind of race.
For Phillips, the road to the start line hasn’t been smooth. A strong 2025 unravelled through a series of injuries and broken bones that forced constant pivots.
Fortunately, his early-season form has been promising, Phillips most recently finishing runner-up to Aucklander Jack Moody at Challenge Wanaka. As is his usual early season plan, all roads lead to Taupo as he looks to open the 2026 IM Pro Series strongly.
“I hope to start the year strongly again and then pursue the Ironman Pro Series with eyes back on Kona [Oct’s World Championships],” said Phillips who was forced to bypass last years. 140.6 worlds in Nice.
The PTO world No.40 knows what’s required in Taupō.
“I think it will take a world-class performance to win and there are a number of guys capable of that,” Phillips said.
He believes course changes — a tougher bike leg, the introduction of the mandatory 20-metre draft zone, and a hill removed from the run— could play into the hands of strong riders. Watch for Sweden’s Rasmus Svenningsson and local hope Kyle Smith in that regard.
“We could see the race quite spread out heading into the run, but also some tired legs, which should make for a really exciting and unpredictable day.”
On his best day, Phillips is among the most powerful cyclists in long-course triathlon. If the race fractures on the bike as he expects, he’ll be in the mix and few know how to pace a better marathon around the Taupo waterfront.
Whether that’s enough to hold off a man with Blummenfelt’s pedigree is the question Saturday will answer.
The record, too, may not survive the day.
You can follow the Pro women’s and men’s races live from 7:15am Saturday via the Ironman Pro Series website and/or Ironman YouTube channel.
2026 ANZCO Foods Ironman New Zealand
Men’s Professional Field
M1 – Mike Phillips (NZL)
M2 – Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR)
M3 – Rasmus Svenningsson (SWE)
M4 – Trevor Foley (USA)
M5 – Henrik Goesch (FIN)
M6 – Matt Hanson (USA)
M7 – Jack Moody (NZL)
M8 – Ben Hamilton (NZL)
M9 – Kyle Smith (NZL)
M10 – Pierre Le Corre (FRA)
M11 – Frederic Funk (DEU)
M12 – Mitchell Kibby (AUS)
M14 – Sam Osborne (NZL)
M15 – Jack Sosinski (AUS)
M16 – Yvan Jarrige (FRA)
M17 – Andy Krueger (USA)
M18 – Nathan Dortmann (AUS)
M19 – Tom Somerville (NZL)
M20 – Matt Kerr (NZL)
M21 – Calvin Amos (AUS)
M22 – Jamie Hayes (USA)
M24 – Robert Huisman (NZL)
M25 – David Martin (CZE)
