Hayden Wilde made two notable appearances this week. While he lines up this weekend for the New Zealand Road Championships, he has already completed the New Zealand Time Trial Championships – and did so in impressive fashion.
Wilde delivered a very strong ride but ultimately fell just a few seconds short of a bronze medal. His fourth-place finish is nevertheless a performance of real significance, especially considering the depth of the field and the presence of elite riders who specifically target this discipline.
Covering the 44-kilometre course in 54:30, Wilde crossed the line just four seconds behind Ben Oliver, who secured third place. The national title went to WorldTour professional and clear favorite Finn Fisher-Black, who dominated the race in 52:24.
After the finish, Wilde was quick to acknowledge Fisher-Black’s superiority, admitting he was in a class of his own and showed everyone how it’s done. As if the effort on the bike wasn’t enough, Wilde then headed out for a run shortly after completing the time trial.
