Hayden Wilde: Super League Triathlon Toulouse Great For The Sport

Hayden Wilde believes Super League Triathlon Toulouse was “great for the sport.”

The New Zealander, who secured a third win from four Championship Series events with another commanding performance, was cheered on by huge crowds in the kind of atmosphere seldom ever seen at a triathlon event.

Toulouse’s technical city centre course and enthusiastic support elevated the sport to another level, and Wilde feels it is another example of Super League delivering on its promise to make triathlon a spectator sport.

He said: “This race was so close and it was awesome to see so many people out there. It was great for the sport.

“I had a great day. I was really happy with how the swim was and finally did a good job. I have been concerned and frustrated about my swimming so I am happy to nail that one.

2022 Superleague Toulouse France Pro Men Dw 154

“Having Dorian in the field made the race a different dynamic. He was fit, fresh, fast, and the same with all the other boys which made the Eagles hard to beat.

“It was nice to take your own lines and not worry about people around you but the second time I was on Dorian’s wheel and sitting on Dorian’s wheel off the front we were pushing the same power. It is so ITT orientation.

“I knew I had to get ahead for the swim after what happened in London and knowing Hauser didn’t have a time penalty so I had to put time into the boys to get a buffer.”

Wilde has a huge lead at the top of the Overall Leaderboard and only a disaster in the Grand Finale in NEOM on October 29 will see him fail to take the Championship Series title.

NEOM will be another unique venue, with hotter weather and a very different bike course among the challenges that await.

“I have heard rumours there might be some gravel but it’s going to be exciting,” he said. “It will be a different temperature, extremely hot, a sea water swim so we will see what happens. I am looking forward to it and hopefully bringing that consistency.”