Search
shop

Alex Yee ‘gutted’ for great rival Hayden Wilde after Paris Test Event showdown scuppered

Mutual respect was to the fore again when British star reflected on his win at the Olympic Test Event in Paris.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Before savouring his own superb victory in the Paris Test Event which booked his Olympics spot, Alex Yee admitted he was “gutted” for great rival Hayden Wilde who saw his race ended by injury.

The two have enjoyed some spectacular battles over the last couple of seasons – with various sporting gestures underlining the mutual respect.

And that was evident after Yee powered to a dominant victory a year out from the Olympics as Wilde was forced out early on the run.

Advertisement

‘It’s never the way you want a race to go’

“First of all, I’m just sorry for Hayden,” Yee told World Triathlon’s Doug Gray.

“It’s never the way you want a race to go. Obviously, he was fighting fit until this morning, so I’m gutted for him.”

Talking through his own race, which saw him high up in the swim and then in the front group on the bike before it all came together, he added: “I’m just happy to first of all be able to race on a course like this and secondly, to race that way.

“I was just buzzing to have a good swim. I’ve been feeling absolutely horrible in the pool the last few weeks, so I’m glad I actually was able to put something representative together of the hard work I’ve been putting in.

“[On the bike] I was all in to trying to help us stay away, but it didn’t seem like everyone was too motivated to stay away, so what can you do? These things happen.”

And referencing the technical bike course, the Brit added: “I think it was just every time the road narrowed or we kinked or something like that, it’s always coming together. But I think everyone stayed on. That’s the main thing. Everyone felt very considerate of each other. It’s just good to be racing with such a good group of guys.”

Silky smooth on the run

After Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt and Morgan Pearson took it to him early on the run, Yee assumed control and never looked in any danger thereafter, clocking exactly 29 minutes for the 10km despite coasting home in the closing stages.

Alex Yee run Paris Test Event 2023 [Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

Though he admitted: “Yeah, I pushed that middle three k of the run. That was kind of where I think I really put an effort in and then by the end I was having to do a bit of management because I was starting to die a little bit.

“But, I mean, it’s tough, the Olympic distance. It’s relentless from the start.”

The victory saw Yee move to the top of the WTCS overall standings ahead of the Grand Final in Pontevedra and he added: “It should definitely be a good shootout as there must be a few of us in the mix, so just excited to have that to look forward to and do my best.”

WTCS Standings after the race

  • 1. Alex Yee (GBR) – 3498.67pts
  • 2. Hayden Wilde (NZL) – 3441.72pts
  • 3. Vasco Vilaca (POR) – 3283.76pts
  • 4. Léo Bergere (FRA) – 3013.56pts
  • 5. Dorian Coninx (FRA) – 2987.60pts
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...