Wilde targets sensational UAE double at Dubai T100

Hayden Wilde will race in two cities in less than 24 hours, with the reigning T100 World Champion lining up for the sprint-distance World Triathlon Championship Series race in Abu Dhabi on Friday and later for Dubai T100 on Saturday.

Racing twice within 24 hours requires an exemption from World Triathlon, and the New Zealander has the form to try it.

The double Olympic medallist won the IRONMAN 70.3 world title in Nice in September and the French Riviera T100 six days later.

He leads the T100 Race to Qatar on 96 points, 37 clear of Australia’s Jake Birtwhistle.

"I’m looking forward to getting back to racing," said Wilde. "I enjoy coming to Dubai to train and race. There’s a chance to have a crack at both the WTCS Abu Dhabi and Dubai T100, so I’m all in. Doing the shorter race first should help. On the French Riviera last year it was the other way around."

THE 24-HOUR TURNAROUND
The recovery starts as soon as he crosses the line in Abu Dhabi.

"Just after the race, you have your protocol, with your recovery shakes ready to go, and carbohydrates, rice, chicken and proteins ready straight after the race. Even if you don’t want to eat, it’s super important to get that in,” said Wilde.

"Then just do a bit of a spin on the trainer for a good half an hour, to really try and flush out as much lactic as possible. From there, you get a massage, head over to Dubai, have a good sleep, and then wake up and do it again.

"When you’re in good shape, why not take the opportunities as they stand? I’ve always said you’re only young once, so use that speed and use that energy once you’ve got the tools to do it."

UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN DUBAI

Wilde finished eighth in Dubai last year, on his way to the world title in Qatar.

"I’m definitely looking to take Dubai out and rewrite what we did last year, and hopefully come home with a win," he said.

He already has three scores on the board, wins in Singapore and on the French Riviera and third in San Francisco. Only an athlete’s best three count, so Dubai adds to his total only if he finishes first or second. A second straight world title would then be decided in Qatar, where the winner takes 55 points rather than the usual 35.

"It’s really hard to go back-to-back in any sort of competition, so to hopefully back up a good result here in Dubai and then finish it off in Qatar would be fantastic," said Wilde. "A lot of hard work goes into it, but also a little bit of luck. Hopefully the bike stays upright and you don’t get any mechanicals out there."

THE CHASING PACK

Birtwhistle is second in the standings on 59 points. Germany’s Lasse Nygaard Priester is third on 49 from two races, so Dubai gives him a third counting score. Priester and his compatriot Rico Bogen finished second and first in San Francisco in June, the only T100 this season that Wilde hasn’t won.

Wilde’s training partner and fellow New Zealander Kyle Smith, third behind him on the French Riviera, is also on the start list. So is Germany’s Mika Noodt, second in Dubai last year, who makes his return to racing.

"I’d say I have had a difficult four months. In mid-July I had a race in Wales and had a bad crash there when I was leading,” said Noodt. “I’m back to normal training and also back to a normal training routine, and that definitely helps. I don’t feel like an injured guy again doing rehab all the time, but feel like an athlete again. And that’s why I’m just excited to get out there and race."

WOMEN ON THE SAME COURSE

The men start at 10:03 am, five minutes ahead of the women. Julie Derron, the defending Dubai champion, leads Georgia Taylor-Brown by three points in the women’s standings. Reigning T100 World Champion Kate Waugh is also on the start list.

A DAY OUT AT AL MAMZAR
Entry for spectators is free all weekend, and there’s plenty to do away from the racing:
•    Kids Zone: inflatables, arts and crafts, soft play, giant Connect 4, Jenga, ring toss and table football
•    Food trucks and ice cream between races
•    Live DJs and entertainment throughout the weekend
•    Cheer Zones: join local triathlon clubs and supporters along the run course
•    Event Village and Expo: pop-ups and activations from brands including Wolfi’s, Oakley/Meta and Maurten
•    Photo opportunities and fan zones

Activities and entertainment run from 4pm to 7:30pm today, 7am to 7pm on Saturday and 7am to 5pm on Sunday.

The swim start is on the beach, and the run course loops through Al Mamzar Park, so spectators can watch the athletes pass several times.
For those watching at home, both professional races will be shown live on the PTO’s global broadcast network.

800 YOUNG ATHLETES GET THE WEEKEND STARTED
More than 800 students aged 8–17 took part in the Dubai T100 Schools Aquathon at Al Mamzar this morning, up from 600 last year. The free swim-and-run event gave young athletes age-appropriate distances, with a medal for every finisher.

More than 3,000 amateur athletes from over 50 nationalities are racing across the rest of the weekend:
•    November 14: Olympic distance triathlon (6:45am), then the men’s (10:03am) and women’s (10:08am) professional races
•    November 15: the amateur 100km (6:45am) and Sprint (10:45am)

The Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend is supported by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council, and is part of the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, which runs until 29 November. For more information, visit t100triathlon.com/dubai