Search
shop

Alex Yee hails great rival Hayden Wilde after Kiwi wins epic Hamburg clash

"Those small margins are the things that win or lose you a race," said Alex Yee of Hayden Wilde's decisive T2 in the WTCS Hamburg final.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

A moment of magic from Hayden Wilde proved the difference as he won the battle of the big hitters at WTCS Hamburg to take the Super Sprint world title.

Towards the end of the bike in the final there was nothing between Wilde, Kristian Blummenfelt, Alex Yee, Vasco Vilaca, Matt Hauser and others.

But the Kiwi put the hammer down on the final couple of corners to open up a small gap and he then rammed home the advantage in T2.

It meant he had daylight between himself and the rest starting the short run and he never looked like being caught.

Advertisement

‘Don’t look back and go’

And afterwards he said: “I thought before the race, if I got into the final, my tactic if the pace was hot – and Kristian was making it real hot at the end – was to swing around that corner and try and get one or two seconds into transition, hopefully then have a really good T2 and just don’t look back and go.”

That was pretty much exactly how it played out and he added: “Normally I fumble a little bit in T2, so I’m pretty stoked that that worked out.

“But it was a big gamble and could have definitely gone backwards. But I just kept pushing and I saw the boys trucking real hard and that was, I guess, a decisive move and I’m just stoked to get the win here back in Hamburg.”

Asked how significant it was that he beat Yee for the first time in a WTCS race they both finished, he replied: “Yeah, Alex is a classy athlete but Matt is as well, everyone is upping their game and I’m not taking any podium for granted these days. It’s just great to be here.

“When I was on the start with that line of ten, I was like, oh man, it’s going to be pretty hard to get the job done here. But I got it done. And kudos to Alex and the boys. It was just honest racing.”

WTCS Hamburg podium 2023 Vasco Vilaca Hayden Wilde Alex Yee photo credit Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon
[Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon]

‘It was quality racing’

That was echoed by Wilde’s great rival Yee, who finished in third, with WTCS series leader Vasco Vilaca splitting them.

“It’s crazy this sort of racing, just carnage, but I really enjoy it,” Yee told World Triathlon.

“Once you get to that last 10 [athletes], it’s quite enjoyable, it’s like just racing against your mates.

“It was pretty unpredictable at times, with Kristian doing a bit of a madness on the bike and my legs were in tatters. But, yeah, it was quality racing.”

Yee also paid tribute to Wilde’s tactics, adding: “He did a really good job in those last few corners. He put a bit of a surge in, had two or three seconds in transition and then he was gone.

“In this kind of racing those small margins are the things that win or lose you a race so kudos to him, it was really impressive.”

And looking at the bigger picture, Yee said: “I’m very much preparing for Olympic distance at the moment, so to come down to this short distance was a bit of a madness but I really enjoyed it. And this is a good format, I think it’s here to stay.”

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
Lisa Tertsch Cassandre Beaugrand Beth Potter Hamburg WTCS 2024 Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon
WTCS Hamburg 2025: Start time, preview and how to watch live
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
‘The more co-operation the better’ – Challenge Roth chief welcomes IRONMAN CEO’s visit
joe-skipper-kona-2022-bike
Joe Skipper says his Challenge Roth experience proves just how high the bar now is in triathlon
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Anne Haug on inspiration ahead of comeback, sub-eight and no intention of retiring just yet
Caroline Pohle Ironman 70.3 Zell Am See 2024
CHAOS as Lena Meissner wins amazing sprint finish to become 70.3 European Champion and is then DEMOTED
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...