Hayden Wilde’s T100 record is astonishing. Eight races and seven victories. And the odd one out was that lap counting fiasco in Dubai.
But he faces potentially his toughest test yet in the 100km format at the Sokin San Francisco T100 on 6 June, with all of the top six in the PTO’s men’s rankings on the start list which has just been released and is at the bottom of this article.
‘The boys have answered the call’
As well as being the reigning T100 champion’s first start on the iconic Escape From Alcatraz course, having missed out in 2025 due to his shoulder injury, the PTO World #1 faces #2 Jelle Geens (BEL), #3 Mika Noodt (GER), #4 Rico Bogen (GER), who won last year, #5 Morgan Pearson (USA) and #6 Marten Van Riel (BEL).
And the Kiwi, who was as dominant as ever in the men’s T100 opener in Singapore last month, is relishing the challenge, saying: “I was super happy with my race in Singapore. It was hotter and harder than last year so I was happy to survive tough conditions.
“I’m buzzing to be able to race the Sokin San Francisco T100 Triathlon this year. The Escape From Alcatraz course is a bucket list race for all triathletes which I was gutted to miss out on last season.
“Everyone knows I love a challenge and looking down the start list, the rest of the boys have certainly answered the call. But I’ve had a good few weeks back in Andorra training and will take this challenge on full throttle as I always do, to defend my lead in the T100 Race To Qatar.”
Pearson a rising force
Racing on home soil, American Morgan Pearson, who came eighth on his T100 debut in San Francisco last year, will be approaching the race in a very different frame of mind. An impressive second place finish at the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in December followed his first T100 race win in Dubai the month before, showing how much of a threat he can be over this distance.
“Coming second in the Qatar T100 Final and winning Dubai last year was a testament to the progression I’ve made on the T100 series, after racing in San Francisco, Vancouver and the French Riviera,” said Pearson.
“My run is obviously one of my strengths and I feel I’m now giving myself the opportunity to show that over the 100km distance.”
“Competing in front of a home crowd always gives you an extra boost, so I’m looking forward to racing in San Francisco next month against such a strong field.”
With Geens, Bogen, Pearson and Van Riel all starting their first T100 race of the season; Mika Noodt looking to secure his seventh consecutive T100 podium, and trying to find that elusive top step; and American favourite Ben Kanute also joining the line up as a four-times winner around the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon [in 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2021], it should be a fascinating race in San Francisco Bay.
Another name that leaps out is Léo Bergere who took bronze behind Alex Yee and Wilde on home roads at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Start list in full
| Bib number | Athlete | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayden Wilde | NZL |
| 2 | Mika Noodt | GER |
| 3 | Jake Birtwhistle | AUS |
| 4 | Mathis Margirier | FRA |
| 5 | Gregor Payet | LUX |
| 6 | Kurt McDonald | AUS |
| 7 | Jelle Geens | BEL |
| 8 | Rico Bogen | GER |
| 9 | Morgan Pearson | USA |
| 10 | Marten Van Riel | BEL |
| 11 | Gregory Barnaby | ITA |
| 12 | Léo Bergere | FRA |
| 13 | Ben Kanute | USA |
| 14 | Jason West | USA |
| 15 | Antonio Benito Lopez | ESP |
| 16 | Wilhelm Hirsch | GER |
| 17 | Jamie Riddle | RSA |
| 18 | Will Draper | GBR |
| 19 | Guillem Montiel | ESP |
| 20 | Henry Rappo | EST |
