Search
shop

British triathlon superstar Alex Yee on brink of world title glory as he searches for ‘perfect race’

In pole position to add a world title to his Olympic crown, there are no signs that Alex Yee is about to start resting on his laurels.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Alex Yee says winning a first world title this weekend would be a significant next step in his development as an athlete as he bids to put a couple of near misses behind him.

He achieved a lifetime ambition by winning Olympic gold this summer after that epic battle with arch rival Hayden Wilde in Paris as he became the most decorated Olympic triathlete of all time.

In the aftermath of that he admitted he was “mentally tired” but he was back firing on all cylinders with a brilliant all-round display at WTCS Weihai last time out and when we caught up with him this week ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Grand Final in Torremolinos, he was calm, focussed and relishing the challenges ahead.

Advertisement

Putting on a show

He has never had a better chance of being crowned world champion – a top-six finish will be enough to seal it, though that definitely isn’t his mindset going into the race as he told us: “I won’t be [thinking like that]. I’ve fallen into the trap before of thinking about the places and what’s going on with this iteration and that iteration – and that doesn’t work for me. This is an isolated race and I’ll just race it the best I can. 

“There’s obviously a few different bits about this one compared to the other ones. It’s a little bit more technical on the bike. It’s a bit more of a choppy sea swim than it was in Weihai. So it’s about just racing the course specifics, treating it as its own race, not as a holistic series, because that’s fundamentally how I race well.

 One day, one race and I’ve just got to do that four times in a year!

“And that comes with the approach of, yes there is a lot of pressure on this weekend but I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it and go through my processes. That’s kind of what I did in Weihai and it worked out really well. So hopefully I can just continue that momentum and race with a smile on my face and put on a show.”

‘The ultimate consistent athlete’

Yee has a perfect record in terms of his best three counting races going into Torremolinos, with the Olympics victory bookended by wins in Weihai and Cagliari and producing those stellar performances on a consistent basis is exactly what makes a world champion.

Asked what it would mean to add a world title to an Olympic triumph, he replied: “It’s not so much that it would be added to Olympic gold this year, I think it’s more because it has been something which has eluded me so many times. 

“I really count the Olympics as the ultimate one day, one race, and the world title as the ultimate consistent athlete over our season. And I think I can put together really good one day, one races. But I think in terms of consistency over the whole year, I’ve probably yet to prove that. So it would be special to be able to do it all in one season because I do feel like I’m developing as an athlete.”

Alex Yee thumbs up Paris Olympics 2024 photo credit world triathlon
Alex Yee after winning gold in Paris [Photo credit: World Triathlon]
Advertisement

Quest for the perfect race

And while a break later this year will be welcome it sounds like there’s no resting on his laurels, with the desire to keep progressing as strong as ever.

He added: “I think there are gains to be made everywhere, if I’m being honest. I think there’s lots we can work towards. There were a lot of conversations about sub 29 being a consistent thing on the run and I think that definitely is a possibility at some point. 

“But that actually might not come from doing lots of extra run volume or training. It might just come from being a stronger biker and a stronger swimmer and the benefit that could have when it comes to the run. I’m starting to find that I’m able to do little bits on the bike and the swim and those little improvements have meant that I’m able to access a little bit more of my potential on the run, which I think is exciting.”

And the worrying news for his rivals is the quest for the perfect race also continues: “Yeah, I still feel like I’m edging closer to a perfect race, but am definitely not there yet. 

I think winning the Olympic Games was an amazing moment, an amazing feeling, but it wasn’t my perfect race – and that’s exciting. 

“It still gets me out of bed and I still feel like I did in Tokyo [when he won individual silver]. I have that energy to get back and to keep improving and getting better. And I still feel young at the moment, so hopefully that can last!”

Alex Yee wins Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Paris 2024 Olympic Games by Wagner Araujo (@wags.photo)
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
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
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!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
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...