Alex Yee won his first Commonwealth Games title today after a predictable battle for gold with chief rival Hayden Wilde.
The industrial city of Birmingham, in England, today welcomed 48 of the Commonwealth’s best male triathletes for a sprint-distance race over the Sutton Park course.
Notably absent was three-time Olympic medallist and 2014 Commonwealth silver medallist Jonny Brownlee, who was forced to withdraw just two weeks prior to the Games with a broken wrist, sustained in a crash with Wilde at the Leeds WTCS in June.
What happened in the swim of the men’s 2022 Commonwealth Games triathlon?
In a pleasant 22°C, the men’s field filed down to Powell’s Pool for the super-swift 750m wetsuit swim in the freshwater lake.
Setting the pace at the front was South Africa’s Jamie Riddle, who hit T1 after 8:34mins. Matching his speed with what was perhaps a career best swim was the Aussie Olympian Wilde, who came into the race as a favourite to win.
What happened in the bike of the men’s 2022 Commonwealth Games triathlon?
But it was Taylor Reid who worked hard over the next four 5km laps to control the race, with Wilde never looking relaxed as he constantly glaced back to see the gap.
But Wilde soon settled in, his main rival Yee having a disappointing swim, exiting in 16th, 15secs down, and stuck in a disorganised bike pack for the full 20km.
After lap one, the gap between the leading trio and chasers was at 16secs, 21secs after lap 2, 18secs after lap three and 16 by T2.
What happened in the run of the men’s 2022 Commonwealth Games triathlon?
Wilde, knowing Yee’s run pedigree, didn’t hang about, staking a claim to the gold from the start. Yee however, had the same idea.
At the end of lap one of 2.5km, the gap was down to 7secs. A mere 2.5km would decide the champion.
Who won the men’s 2022 Commonwealth Games?
Sliding past Wilde with a respectful fist-bump, Yee sauntered down the finishing straight as the Kiwi waited out his 10s penalty in the holding pen. Knowing victory was his, Yee grabbed an England flag and enjoyed his first-ever Commonwealth win to the cheers of the home crowd, stepping across the line in 50:34.
With such an impressive lead over the competition, Wilde strode across the line 13s later with his signature kiwi bird wing flap to take silver, while previous Commonwealth champion Hausner relinquished his title for the bronze medal in a time of 50:50.