Hayden Wilde prepares to take on rival Alex Eyre in the final of the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi

Hayden Wilde has compared his battle with Alex Yi at the World Triathlon Championship finals in Abu Dhabi to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen vying for the Formula 1 title.

The New Zealander made it clear his intention was to skip two races and arrive in the capital four weeks early in preparation for the event on Yas Island on November 23-26.

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The race will see all three 2020 Olympic medalists compete. Wilde has overtaken Blumenfeldt and Lee to find himself number one in the world rankings, with Yi Yang Qianxi in fourth place.

French European champion Leo Bergere was second and Belgian Jelle Geens, who won gold at the 2021 Abu Dhabi race, was third.

“It’s going to be a great match between me and Alex Yee,” Wilde said at the launch of the world finals at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council headquarters on Tuesday.

“It’s like a Hamilton vs Verstappen race and I’m really looking forward to it. Whoever crosses that line wins the world title. We have a lot of competition so it’s a real deal to come together and finish in Abu Dhabi Fantastic. Hopefully we can put on a great show.”

At the Tokyo Olympics, Wilde had to take bronze behind Norwegians Christian Blumenfeldt and Lee. Lee also beat Wilde for gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July, a victory the Briton called his “greatest achievement” despite having previously won silver in Tokyo.

“Adding a world championship to our achievements is a big deal for triathletes,” Wilde said.

“Winning an Olympic medal is what we strive for, but world championships are not just a race, it’s consistency. It’s a huge feat to join someone like Vincent Luis and it would be amazing to do it here of.

Wilde said many people told him it was a risky way to do it before a big game. “I missed the games in Europe and Bermuda, which required a lot of travel, which was a good risk,” he added.

“I have made plans to come four weeks before the race in Abu Dhabi and maximise my strengths by adapting to the weather conditions and circumstances.

“I’ve played with a lot of these athletes over many years and I’m aware of the challenges. On top of that, conditions, heat and humidity, and surfaces that are more grippy and consume more energy. That’s why I The reason to come early and experience it all together.”

In the women’s event, Tokyo gold medalist Flora Duffy will face current world number one Georgia Taylor-Brown of Great Britain – who won silver in Japan.

The Bermudian also won gold in Abu Dhabi last year and will be looking to add to her long list of achievements, including multiple world titles and a Commonwealth gold medal.

England will bring their typically strong squad to Abu Dhabi, led by Tyler Brown, along with fourth-placed Beth Porter and seventh-placed Sophie Colwell.

The U.S. will also feature three of the world’s top 10 in the form of fifth-ranked Taylor Spivey, as well as ninth and tenth-ranked Taylor Knib and Kirsten Casper.

Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the capital was delighted to host the World Triathlon Championships finals for the first time.

“Since 2015, we have hosted a series of international triathlon championships and organized community competitions for all ages and abilities, which has led to a significant increase in interest in triathlon,” he said.

“Now in 2022, we are preparing to host the World Triathlon Championship Finals with 130 elite triathletes participating.”

Mohammed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral Group, added: “We are delighted to host the World Triathlon Championship Finals, reaffirming our commitment to positioning Yas Island as a top global leisure and entertainment destination.”

For more information, please visit: abudhabi.triathlon.org.

Updated: November 8, 2022 at 2:14 pm