Search
shop

‘Never give up’ – Hayden Wilde puts Abu Dhabi flat tyre woe behind him

He may have finished way down the field in the WTCS opener but as Hayden Wilde explains there was a good reason for that.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The results may show Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist Hayden Wilde finished only 46th in the WTCS season-opener in Abu Dhabi – but that doesn’t come close to telling the full story.

The reigning Super League champion came within a whisker of being crowned World Champion in Abu Dhabi last November, his cause not helped by a pre-race fever – nor a positive Covid test not long after.

And after returning to the UAE it soon became apparent he was out of luck again as he was quickly distanced on the bike – thanks to a rear flat tyre.

Advertisement

Quitting not an option

Providing detail on what happened on his Instagram feed – and seemingly having since watched the live feed which wondered why he kept going as great rival Alex Yee powered to the win – the Kiwi said: “QUITTING was never an option, commentary on the other hand thought I should have tossed it in.

“Disappointed I couldn’t show off what I had on the day.”

Hayden Wilde bike leg Abu Dhabi WTCS 2023 photo credit Wagner Araujo World Triathlon
Wilde’s chances were scuppered by bike issue [Photo credit: Wagner Araujo / World Triathlon]

Wilde was actually out of the water a fraction ahead of Manoel Messias, who would go onto take third overall, and his 5km run of 14:42 was only bettered by the front three, all underlining what a devastating effect the bike issue had on his overall result.

Talking through the race, Wilde explained:

“Felt good in the swim but a poor decision going too wide swimming 20m extra cost me a good chunk of time in the water but I felt physically good and not under pressure.

“From being 2mins down from the first lap after my flat tire out of transition. For me it turned into a good old workout.

“Riding solo I was surprised I only lost 30secs over 4 1/2 laps.

“Overall actually really happy how I ran after a good push on the bike.

Hayden Wilde clocked 14:42 on the 5km at WTCS Abu Dhabi 2023 photo credit Wagner Araujo
Wilde clocked an impressive 14:42 on the run [Photo credit: Wagner Araujo / World Triathlon]

“Probably the happiest 46th-place guy you’ll meet if I’m just looking at pure performance 🤣.”

And whatever’s up next for Wilde, it’s clear he’s got one big plus point to take from Abu Dhabi, adding: “NEVER QUIT, NEVER GIVE UP. No matter the result. If you start quitting when the times are tough that’ll just make you mentally weaker when you’re pushing for the win in the next race.”

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 p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
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!)
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
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
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...