New Zealand superstar Hayden Wilde has won the Dubai T100 Triathlon at Al Mamzar Beach Park after a thrilling duel, primarily with Kyle Smith. Wilde raced from the front all day and once again demonstrated his dominance.
Following earlier victories this season at the Singapore T100 Triathlon and the Ekoï French Riviera T100 Triathlon, Wilde now has three wins under his belt, heading into the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final with a perfect score. Just one day before his victory in Dubai, he also raced in the WTCS Abu Dhabi yesterday, where he finished third.
Kyle Smith made a particularly strong impression today and was at the front during both the swim and the bike. During the first ten kilometres of the run, he set the pace and took the lead in the race. Over the past two months, the New Zealander had already achieved a third-place finish at the Ekoï French Riviera T100 Triathlon and a first-place finish at Challenge Barcelona. His second place at the Dubai T100 Triathlon once again confirms his excellent form.
Mika Noodt rounded out the podium, taking bronze today. For the German, the Dubai T100 Triathlon marked an emotional comeback after he suffered a serious crash in mid-July in a different race series and underwent a long rehabilitation period.
The result means that Wilde extends his lead in the T100 Race To Qatar to 105 points, with Smith NZL in second on 63 points and Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) in third on 59 points. Athletes select their best three finishes plus the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final.
Next up for the men and women is the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final on 11-12 December.
Key Quotes
Winner: Hayden Wilde (NZL)
On racing the WTCS Abu Dhabi one day before the Dubai T100 Triathlon: “It’s a lot easier to first do the sprint and then the T100 than doing it the other way around. I still felt my quads at the end of the ride, but I paced myself through the run and felt pretty strong.”
On training and racing with Kyle Smith: “He worked really well on the first two laps of the run, and then I made my move, but he was very strong today. It was really cool to see him doing so well. We are spending three weeks in Abu Dhabi now for some hard training, enjoying some sunshine, and getting some indoor snow before racing the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final.”
Second: Kyle Smith (NZL)
On race dynamics and expectations to win: “Hayden is just so good. At the 10km mark of the run, I was feeling great, but I knew he was just waiting and waiting. It’s great to be training together and to see us finish first and second today.”
On his chance to get closer to the top position, before racing the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final: “We’re both going to Abu Dhabi for a training camp and some heat prep. You definitely need that. I’m feeling confident and good. What works for me works for Hayden, so we’re both going on a training camp, and he is getting better as well.”
Third: Mika Noodt (GER)
On his comeback after a heavy crash earlier this season: “Physically, I was sure I was able to get back on the podium, mentally definitely not. I was not sure I could do it, but I’m very happy.”
On how the race unfold: “The swim was quite easy. I didn’t take it out too hard, and didn’t want to push too much. The bike was pretty polarised, except for Rico Bogen’s surges. The bike was a mental challenge after what happened. Physically I felt great; it was one of the easiest bike rides physically. On the run I felt really good. Very happy – I felt pretty in control.”
On his preparations towards the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final: “I’m still on my way up, still not 100% training. I’m going to the Sierra Nevada for altitude training. I enjoy the silence up there. I’m going to push it a bit more on the run to get the speed back, hopefully to keep up with the guys in Qatar.”
