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WTCS Opener “100%” about redemption for Wilde
by TQ.kiwi
Hayden Wilde vows to “come back fighting” at the scene of his greatest disappointment
That thousand words or a picture cliché? Here’s a telling example, the agonising blue carpet moment when Hayden Wilde realised he’d missed out on WTCS glory by one place, 10 seconds or 45.41 measly points. Take your pick, they all still smart.
It turns out that Wilde’s run to sixth in the WTCS finale in Abu Dhabi cruelly coincided with a untimely maiden scrape with Covid-19, not that he knew in the energy sapping heat of the moment on Yas Island as he slipped from pole-position to third overall in World Triathlon’s blue- ribband series behind Frenchman Léo Bergere and Great British rival Alex Yee.
Fast-forward to the eve of a the new season and Wilde has perhaps never been more motivated. Sure, the longer term goal is Paris gold, but the stepping stone is the world.
“I obviously got Covid on race day so I didn’t perform the way I wanted to and knew I could so 100 percent I’ll be going to Abu Dhabi for redemption,” said Wilde of the impending WTCS season opener, fatefully back in the UAE capital.
“It’s very early on in the season, Abu Dhabi, so whether the form will be there will be the big question mark but I think it’s a big question mark over a lot of athletes heads being so early on in the season.”
After Abu Dhabi where he’ll share the start line with pal Kyle Smith and the likes of Kristian Blummenfelt (Ainsley Thorpe is set to contest the women’s race), Wilde will loop back to his European base via World Cup New Plymouth and rounds two and three of the WTCS in Yokohama and Cagliari. It’s the start of another busy season where the Paris test event in August looms large.
“My ambitions are definitely to get that automatic qualification spot for the Olympics but also trying to become world champion is a huge box ticker for me because I was so close last year… I really want to come back fighting and come back extremely hungry for that.
“The body is ticking over good post Covid in Abu Dhabi. I’m looking forward to seeing where the form is and that will show me what I need to prepare and improve moving into New Plymouth, Yokohama and Cagliari.”
Beyond Paris, Wilde will attempt to defend his Super League Triathlon (SLT) title.
“I really want to do some PTO races but it’s just not going to work out. It’s just overlapping a few events in the World Series that just makes it impossible to compete. So it’s a bit unfortunate but looking forward to the season. I’m feeling fit, healthy and ready.” – KG
