Hayden Wilde will begin his 2026 campaign this week by stepping into unfamiliar territory, lining up against New Zealand’s top road cyclists at the Elite Road National Championships in Cambridge.
The Olympic silver medallist and reigning men’s T100 World Champion is confirmed to compete in both the individual time trial and the road race, scheduled from February 5–7 and organised by the Te Awamutu Cycling Club.
For Wilde, the event marks his first competitive outing of the new season and offers a high-level test against specialist riders from the WorldTour peloton.
Back at the top after remarkable comeback
Wilde’s presence at the championships follows an extraordinary 2025 season. After suffering a severe bike crash early in the year, the Kiwi triathlete mounted one of the most impressive comebacks in recent endurance sport history. Less than 100 days after the incident, he returned to racing and claimed victory at T100 London.
That win proved to be the foundation of a dominant year. Wilde went on to secure six victories across the T100 Triathlon World Tour, ultimately sealing the overall series title at the season finale in Qatar in December.
Tough test against WorldTour talent
The New Zealand National Championships will present a very different challenge. In Thursday’s 44.2km time trial, Wilde is set to face Finn Fisher-Black, widely regarded as the favourite for the title.
The 24-year-old WorldTour rider competes for Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe and is the defending national time trial champion. Known for his strength against the clock and in the mountains, Fisher-Black headlines a field of 15 riders entered for the TT.
The championships conclude with the 188km road race, featuring a peloton of 39 riders. Fisher-Black will again be among the key contenders, alongside several other New Zealand professionals racing at international level.
Early-season benchmark
While Wilde is not a specialist road cyclist, the championships offer a valuable early benchmark as he builds toward another ambitious triathlon season. Taking on full-time cyclists over classic national championship distances will provide a clear indication of where his bike form stands heading into 2026.
