Kiwi superstar Hayden Wilde says time has run out on his bid for a maiden overall title in the World Triathlon Championship Series this year.

He has yet to appear in the WTCS this season – the opening event in Abu Dhabi was postponed because of the conflict in the Middle East, while he then missed Samarkand and Yokohama before illness ruled him out of both Alghero and Quiberon.

With the best four races – plus the final in Pontevedra – counting towards the title, Wilde will be at least one short as there are only four regular-season races left and one of those (Weihai) falls on the same weekend as the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, which Wilde has qualified for and intends to race.

‘Health comes first’

He is also on course to defend his T100 crown but as far as the shorter format is concerned, he said on Instagram, he said: “Gutted to not be racing the @worldtriathlon race in Quiberon.

“Which means my WTCS series title chase is over for 2026 due to no Abu Dhabi, skipping Yokohama, DNS Olbia [Alghero] and now Quiberon.

“I’ve run out of room to fit an extra WTCS due to 70.3 worlds on the same date as another WTCS.

“Gutted to not fight for the title but health comes first and it’s been a pretty bumpy 3 weeks since Olbia. Finally back training and getting ready for the next race in July.

“I’ll still be lining up for Hamburg, London and the grand final for the WTCS just unfortunately I’ll be a race behind.”

Vilaca in pole position

Wilde isn’t the only big name virtually out of contention as Alex Yee, the man who beat him to Olympic gold in Paris, has been a DNF in his last two WTCS races which gives him a mountain to climb.

Leading the way at the top of the standings is Vasco Vilaca after wins in Samarkand and Alghero as well as a runner-up finish to Dorian Coninx in Quiberon.

But defending champion Matt Hauser is also set to return to the fray in Hamburg and will likely put up a formidable defence of his title.