Hayden Wilde reacts to WTCS Weihai woe with red zone overload and silver linings
Hayden Wilde admitted Friday at WTCS Weihai was one of his worst performances of recent years – but it was also one he was immensely proud of.
The triathlon world (and all those new crossover fans) were hoping for another great battle with Olympic champion Alex Yee after their Paris 2024 and supertri showdowns.
But the big match never materialised as Wilde was unusually unable to bridge up to the lead pack on the bike, and eventually finished down the field in 7th.
But as Yee romped clear of the field to win in astonishing fashion by 46 seconds, Hayden was taking on a battle of his own. The one against himself as he refused to give up.
Hayden Wilde on WTCS Weihai woe
Writing afterwards on his Instagram account, ‘The Falcon’ said: “It’s days like these, Teach you the biggest lessons in racing do you give up or keep pushing that went through my mind a couple of times when things weren’t right.
“I was super excited about this course as it was tough and it suited me very well having a front group swim was perfect and set me up very well but being a little bit off the back in the last 200 and 300m of the Swim put me on the red line limiter for too long.
“Jumping onto the bike straight away I didn’t feel like myself struggling to close a little 2-3second gap which continued to put me in the red zone too long before the first climb.
Hayden Wilde – brutally honest WTCS Weihai debrief (Photo Credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon).
“We approached the first climb. I know I just had to get over it and try and stay in the group. To not be able to go with the group on the terrain. I love to ride on. It was personally hard to take and disappointing but that is racing taking a blow like that at the start of the race is never nice, but it’s what you do for the remainder of the race that teaches you the biggest lesson. So I continue to push and try to maintain a gap to salvage a good result at the end.”
After the trials of that disappointing bike leg on such a brutal course, Wilde knew the run would not be a pleasant experience with victory or a podium already out of the question. But he was totally up for a different kind of challenge.
Hayden on a different kind of challenge
“Coming off the bike just over 90 seconds behind a lot of work to do but I was up for the challenge. I put my head down and started chipping away. I was able to pick up a few athletes and finish seventh thus seventh place is one of my worst performances in a few years. It’s one of the ones I’m proud of due to the way I fought all day.
“An athlete at the peak of their Sport always wanting to win, but it’s these days that humble you and show your only human. I could also put this result down to a few things that happened at the start of the week but I’d rather reflect on the positives coming out of this race. obviously not ideal for the series but there’s always a chance sitting in third quite some points off first but as everyone knows the grand final is a whole different beast”
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
How to improve your FTP – Power up your cycling with these ROUVY indoor cycling workouts
What is a good marathon time? Average, good and elite times for runners and triathletes
Essential Cold Water Swimming Gear & Safety Tips
TRI-FIT RAPID-X swimming goggles review – A contender for the best swim goggles for pool and open water?
Could Infrared sportswear be the key to unlocking your best performance yet? A deep dive into high tech sports apparel
latest News
29 Sep 2024
IRONMAN Chattanooga results: Sam Long stars, Joe Skipper returns and Sarah True reigns supreme
29 Sep 2024
Alex Yee project nearing completion as Britain’s Olympic triathlon champion emerges from chaos to new heights
29 Sep 2024
T100 Ibiza triathlon results: Full finishing order and times as Alistair Brownlee pays penalty and Flora Duffy steps up
29 Sep 2024
Alistair Brownlee penalty ruling left Jan Frodeno ASTONISHED as T100 triathlon history is made
29 Sep 2024
Van Riel ‘all in’ for T100 title ahead of Vegas but RULE QUIRK means he and Knibb still have work to do despite perfect records
