There were some fresh faces for 2026 in the mix over the closing staged of Saturday’s men’s WTCS London, but one very familiar winner, as Australia's defending World Champion Matt Hauser saw off Vasco Vilaça, Csongor Lehmann, Morgan Pearson and Alberto Gonzalez to take the win.
It was as hard as he has worked all year for the 1000 points, though, Vilaça putting in a big surge up the final hill to ask the question louder than ever, but such is Hauser’s inner belief right now that he fought back, slammed the door, and roared to the line.
A third silver for Vilaça doesn’t improve his points total at the top of the rankings but does continue his incredible run in 2027, Csongor Lehmann (HUN) back on the podium for the first time since Cagliari 2024 in third.
'The atmosphere was electric,' said Hauser, 'It was pretty cool coming down the finish chute with all the fans there supporting. It’s great to see Morgan Pearson back racing his best at this level, and he did most of the work at the front all credit to him. It’s nice to have another battle with Vasco and see what we had left at the end… it was nice to get the inside line early and try and hold it.'
The familiar sight of Mark Devay (HUN) led the field out of the water, Jules Rethoret on debut right on his heels along with Hauser, Vilaça just three seconds back, Morgan Pearson (USA) and Miguel Hidalgo (BRA) in touch, Alex Yee (GBR) almost 40 seconds back with work to do.
Onto the bike, Hauser was out like a shot on to the first of seven laps then a group of thirteen formed up ahead over the opening stages, home favourites Conor Bentley and Oli Conway leading the huge group of chasers now 20 seconds back.
A major crash involving Canada’s Charles Paquet on the final bike lap further slowed the chasers progress, and the margin drifted to over a minute by the time the athletes were into their running shoes and out onto the 5km finale.
Spain’s Alberto Gonzalez was straight to the front but knowing he had a 10-second penalty to serve for an equipment infraction, Morgan Pearson also flying, Hauser and Lehmann tucked on their shoulder with Vilaça on theirs as it became a five-way shootout for the medals.
Each lap’s 800m indoor section raised the roof of the Excel Arena, Luke Willian and Tom Richard unable to reel them in, Tjebba Kaindl, Miguel Hidalgo and Seth Rider also in chase, but the five upfront stuck to their task.
After Pearson hit the front one more time, it was Vilaça with a massive early push uphill to try and seal the deal, but it didn’t break his rival, Matt Hauser responding as he has so often and taking the tape as well as the 1000 points.
Lehmann took home the bronze, Pearson 4th after Gonzalez had to rip through his penalty, Tjebbe Kaindl (AUT) a career-best 6th from Luke Willian (AUS), Frenchmen Tom Richard and Jules Rethoret and Seth Rider completing the top ten.
Hidalgo took 11th while Alex Yee ran his way to 14th – his 13m52 split of the 5km the fastest in the field by nearly 20 seconds.
Vasco Vilaça
We keep fighting, these duals with matt are incredible I think I played it better this time, the tactics were better, but as we got to the left turn he had the inside and an extra gear at that was it for me. I tried to position well into T2 but was a little slow, worked hard to cthcup with them again, Alberto was putting some attacks in, what an amazing place to be, what an incredible generation to race with.
Csongor Lehmann
I’m super happy to be back in my real shape. I needed this, I had an unlucky race in Hamburg individual, so I came here with no pressure on myself other than wanting to do a good race. I think we managed the bike segment very well, huge thanks to all the guys who made it happen, and I wanted to stick with the front guys on the run and felt good out there and took my chance.