Search
shop

Hayden Wilde admits ‘it’s totally my fault’ for Brownlee/Yee Leeds crash

Kiwi star admits he was to blame for Brownlee and Yee DNFs
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde displayed wonderful honesty in the aftermath of his first ever WTCS victory in Leeds on Saturday, admitting he was to blame for the accident which saw British stars Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee crash out.

The Tokyo Mixed Relay gold medallists saw their hopes of delighting the huge home crowd scuppered in Roundhay Park when they both crashed early in the bike leg. It was later revealed that Brownlee had suffered a broken elbow in the crash.

Wilde would go on to pass long-time French leader Léo Bergere on the run to claim a famous victory, but he admitted that crash had taken a fair bit of the shine off his success.

Advertisement

Wilde admits blame

He told BBC One: “It’s a bitter sweet victory to be honest. As it’s my first victory I’m actually really stoked. But there was part of that collision which was probably my fault.

“I just really want to apologise to Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee, and my team-mate (Dylan McCullough) who I actually collided into a little bit, on the uphill there was a lot of speed going through there and we just caught that momentum and the guys went down behind me.”

Wilde said he had been really looking forward to locking horns with Brownlee and Yee, after having a terrific battle with the latter in Yokohama recently. Just not like this.

Regret for Hayden

“I wanted to race those boys properly, not like that, I just feel real gutted to be honest. I know Jonny was pretty mad on the side, he gave me some words, that’s fair enough I’d do the same. Just absolutely gutted for those guys.

“Other than that, really happy how I ran today and how the race went. The swim went well, but just a little bit bitter sweet for me today.

“Honestly, it’s totally my fault, more than happy to own up to that. I just feel real bad for them, as you said it might be his (Jonny) last time here.”

Graham Shaw
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
Mark Allen aging up quote
How to adjust your triathlon training as you get older – Mark Allen on the 7 ways to make aging a less slippery slope
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
latest News
Beth Potter Cassandre Beaugrand Olympic Games Paris Test Event Triathlon August 2023
WTCS Yokohama 2025: Date, start time and how to watch live as Olympic stars head to Japan
Sam Long bike leg IRONMAN 703 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
“I think he’s a sneaky little guy” – which fellow pro got under the skin of Sam Long at 70.3 St. George?
Mathis Margirier wins the Challenge Championship in Samorin 2023 [Photo credit: Activimages / Challenge Family]
The Championship History: What makes the racing in Šamorín so special?
Former Royal Marine scales Mount Everest to complete the ‘world’s longest triathlon’
Kristian Blummenfelt IRONMAN Texas Fans 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence start lists: Krisitian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden set to star in France
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...