The much anticipated duel between Britain’s Alex Yee and New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde fizzled somewhat thanks to a 10-second penalty the Kiwi got for undoing his helmet too soon as he entered T2, but that didn’t mean today’s men’s race at Sutton Park in Birmingham lacked drama. Canadian Tyler Mislawchuk’s day was foiled by a flat tire and a mechanical issue with his spare wheel, while the men’s award ceremony was delayed by an hour when the New Zealand delegation appealed Wilde’s penalty.
Canada’s Charles Paquet was in good spirits just before the start.Heading into the race Canadian hopes for a medal rested on Tyler Mislawchuk, but bad luck would derail those chances.Tyler Mislawchuk and Hayden Wilde fight for position early on in the swim. After the race Mislawchuk told us that “one of the men who finished on the podium” dunked him early in the swim. Photo: Kevin MackinnonMartin Sobey led the Canadian men into T2.Wilde, countryman Taylor Reid and South Africa’s Jamie Riddle were able to break away and stay clear on the bike.In his first major Games, Sobey fared well, staying in the chase pack.Jamaica’s Phillip McCatty actually lives in Hamilton, Ont.Yee worked hard to keep the chase pack within striking distance of the breakaway.Wilde was looking to hit the run ahead of his rival, Alex Yee …Mission accomplished.Yee steadily gained ground on the Kiwi, though, and had caught him shortly after the start of the second lap.Paquet worked hard to stay with the rest of the men in the first chase group.Celebrating in front of the home crowd …Yee claimed the first medal of the 2022 Commonwealth GamesWilde would take secondWith Australia’s Matt Hauser rounding out the podiumThe two Canadians hit the blue carpet in a sprint for the top-Canadian honours …Paquet would finish 10th, with Sobey finishing 11th.
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
