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Hayden Wilde nailed it this time, delivering a flawless performance in the World Triathlon Series finale in Spain

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Hayden Wilde nailed it this time, delivering a flawless performance in the World Triathlon Series finale in Spain, securing his place as a top contender. The Kiwi triathlete, fresh off a silver at the Paris Olympics, put on a show Monday morning (NZT), using the same razor-sharp tactics that got him to the podium in France.

While the overall title slipped through his fingers – claimed by his rival Alex Yee – Wilde’s victory was a powerful statement. Yee, who clinched gold at the Olympics, finished third in the series, with Wilde hot on his heels and Frenchman Leo Bergere taking second place overall. But Wilde’s win in Spain wasn’t just about rankings – it was personal redemption. After a tough seventh-place finish in China last month, he came back swinging.

Wilde’s race strategy was all about the bike leg. He blew past his competition on the first lap of the run and didn’t look back, clocking a total time of 1hr 32min 22sec. He crossed the finish line more than a minute ahead of Bergere, with Yee trailing by nearly 90 seconds.

“I had a solid swim and stuck to my plan – sit on the fourth wheel, then Leo [Bergere] came out blazing, and I saw a gap,” Wilde said. “We worked so well together. It was a bit like the Olympics – push hard for two laps, ease off, then hit it again. Winning the grand final feels special, even though the world title slipped away.”

Yee, needing a top-six finish to seal the world title, did what he does best – smashed the run leg and secured his first-ever world championship crown. “This title has haunted me for three years,” Yee said. “I wanted to put on a show, make people smile – and now I’m finally world champion.”

For Wilde, it’s another chapter in an already impressive career. Victory in Spain might not have given him the series title, but it’s proof the Kiwi is still one of the fiercest competitors out there, with plenty more to come.

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