🫁 Hayden Wilde has withdrawn from Saturday’s WTCS London after revealing he has inflammation around his lungs.
The Whakatāne 28-year-old said he was “gutted” after taking to social media to deliver the news following an MRI scan.
Wilde’s withdrawal follows his uncharacteristic performance at WTCS Hamburg on July 11, where the Tokyo bronze and Paris silver medallist finished a lowly 27th. Earlier, he had withdrawn from WTCS Alghero and WTCS Quiberon with a virus.
The decision leaves Team NZL with just one starter in the men’s race in London, Saxon Morgan, while newly crowned European Aquathlon champion Nicole van der Kaay is joined by Eva Goodisson and Brea Roderick in the women’s field.
“Unfortunately, I’ve decided to pull out for London WTCS,” Wilde wrote on Instagram.
“With MRI results on my lungs, it has come back with some inflammation around the lungs which probably explains my inconsistencies in training. Some days have been really good and some days just pure average which isn’t like me.
“For now it’s time to rest and prepare for my September block. Gutted not to race in London as my record in this city is pretty decent.”
Wilde said he felt it was “disrespectful to my competitors to think I can turn up not 100% and have a good result.”
“Hasn’t been a mid-season I was looking for. Frustrating not to show my form but gotta roll with the highs and lows of this sport, always sitting on the fine line of performance.”
Wilde did not say when he next expected to race but has previously targeted the World Triathlon Finals in Pontevedra, Spain, in late September. Before that, Wilde had indicated he would race T100 French Riviera in St Raphaël and Fréjus on September 19 to maintain his series lead, ahead of the ‘Race to Qatar’ T100 Grand Final scheduled for Doha on December 11.
The Kiwi talisman is the reigning T100 champion.
