Amid a stacked men’s field at the season-opening Singapore T100, Olympic silver medallist Hayden Wilde showed his mettle and fired a warning to his competitors. In what was his first T100 race, the New Zealander delivered a stunning performance to come from behind to win the season opener on Sunday (6 April) in Marina Bay.

Having emerged 15th after the swim, Wilde rose through the ranks on the bike leg and traded the lead with Rico Bogen throughout the 80km. But during the final leg, it was Wilde who showed his endurance and strength as Bogen ran out of steam and only managed 10th. Sauntering up to the finish line, Wilde even took the time to exchange celebratory high-fives with the cheering spectators before claiming the tape.

Paris 2024 bronze medallist Leo Bergere, also making his T100 debut, and reigning T100 Triathlon World Tour champion Marten Van Riel’s late surges saw them finish second and third, respectively.

The top 10 of the Singapore T100 are as follows:
1. Hayden Wilde – 3hr 18min 11sec
2. Leo Bergere – 3:20:45
3. Marten Van Riel – 3:21:33
4. Youri Keulen – 3:22:05
5. Gregory Barnaby – 3:22:30
6. Mathis Margirier – 3:22:58
7. Antonio Benito Lopez – 3:24:34
8. Sam Long – 3:24:59
9. Mika Noodt – 3:25:18
10. Rico Bogen – 3:25:34

Over 7,000 participants took part in the multi-sport Singapore T100 across the weekend in four distances – 100km triathlon for experienced amateurs, Standard Duathlon, Long Duathlon, and The Music Run.

“I just kind of raced my own race, race my own power and heart rate. I think that’s super important in that sort of race. It’s not a good idea to probably go and chase the race – just do your own race and hope  that it’s enough.” – Hayden Wilde

How The Race Unfolded 

New to the series but no stranger to racing hard, Vincent Luis (FRA) came out firing in Singapore’s sweltering Marina Bay, blasting the start of the 2km swim and instantly stretching the field. Behind him, a hot chase formed: Wildcards Max Stapley (GBR) and Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN), Menno Koolhaas (NED), reigning T100 World Champ Marten Van Riel (BEL), and Olympic bronze medallist Leo Bergere (FRA) were all in the hunt.

That lead pack hit T1 with an 8-second cushion on the next wave, led by Rico Bogen (GER) and including heavy hitters Youri Keulen (NED), Hayden Wilde (NZL), and Jelle Geens (BEL) in close pursuit. Last year’s runner-up, Sam Long (USA), was already staring at a 3-minute deficit by the halfway mark of the swim – a disadvantage that would swell to 5min 37sec by the time Luis led out of the water at 2km.

Once on the bike, Bogen turned up the heat, pulling clear solo while a chase pack formed behind him – Koolhaas, Wilde, Van Riel, Bergere, Keulen, Gregoy Barnaby (ITA), Stapley, Mathis Margirier (FRA), and Luis all in the mix.

Wilde made his move around 30km into the bike to get Bogen in his sights by the halfway mark. Margirier sat 40 seconds off, with a scattered group – Van Riel, Barnaby, Bergere, Geens, Mika Noodt (GER), and others – strung out behind him. Luis was losing ground, his gap now 3:24 back and growing.

At 66km, Margirier bridged to Bogen and Wilde, climbing a full 12 spots since T1,1 but couldn’t hold the pace as Wilde and Bogen pushed hard to hit T2 with a full minute on the Frenchman. Bogen posted the day’s fastest bike split of 1:49:40. Meanwhile, Noodt was 1:48 back, with the likes of Bergere, Van Riel, and Barnaby hitting the transition just past the 2-minute mark.

On the run, Wilde wasted no time, attacking early and prying open a gap on Bogen. By 6km, the Kiwi was 24 seconds clear and running fast with apparent ease. Behind them, Margirier held 3rd but was being hunted down.

At around 7km in, Lake Las Vegas T100 winner Geens stopped at the edge of the course in visible pain before calling it a day with a DNF – 0 points added to his T100 Race to Qatar Standings tally.

Halfway into the run, Wilde led by two minutes. Behind him, Bergere was flying, overtaking Margirier for third and closing fast on Bogen. Van Riel and Barnaby ran shoulder to shoulder another 30 seconds back.

With 6km to go, Bergere surged into second, leaving Bogen struggling and destined for a 10th-place finish.  Van Riel soon reeled in the German too, moving into third and eyeing the podium.

With 2km to go, Wilde had the win in hand, Bergere and Van Riel in the remaining podium places.  Meanwhile, Barnaby and Keulen were locked together in a battle for 4th.

Wilde celebrated early, soaking in the crowd’s energy and taking plenty of high-fives before coasting down the blue carpet to take his first T100 victory in 3:18:11 – pocketing US$25,000 and a crucial 35 T100 Race to Qatar Standings points. Despite slowing near the finish, the Kiwi secured the day’s fastest run split of 1:01:46.

Bergere was next home, 2:35 behind but also getting his T100 career off to a flyer with 29 Race to Qatar points and US$17,000.

Grimacing as he gave it all to secure 3rd place, Van Riel crossed the line in 3:22 to earn US$13,000 and 26 points.

In the battle for 4th, Keulen came out on top, the defending Singapore T100 Champion, thrilled with his finish, adding an extra US$10,500 to his coffers and 23 points.

Barnaby rounded out the top 5 for US$9,000 and 20 points.