Kiwi triathlete Hayden Wilde has scored another win over archrival Alex Yee, with a second consecutive Supertri series victory at London.
Wilde and Yee battled for gold at last month's Paris Olympics, with the Brit taking command within sight of the finish.
Since then, the pair have raced three times over the team format, with Yee prevailing at Boston and Wilde at Chicago.
In London, the Kiwi dominated tactically, using a "short chute" advantage to capture the lead on the final run, with Aussie Matt Hauser second and Frenchman Leo Bergere third. Yee lost contact with the leaders on the first run leg and eventually finishing 12th.
The "Supertri" format is contested over three abbreviated triathlons back-to-back-to-back, with athletes earning a short-cut advantage by leading after each stage.
Wilde's result completed a hat trick of wins at London, with previous success in 2021 and 2022.
"It's the toughest course," said Wilde. "If you're on the front, you're going hard... if you're on the second wheel, you're going hard.
"Matt and the [Podium Racing] guys applied the pressure on the last ride, and made me work today. I thought like I was running in mud and had to push until the end, but I am stoked to get my third run here in London."
Afterwards, Yee admitted he was jaded from his intense competition schedule.
"Racing well would have been a bonus," he said. "In the first triathlon, I felt good, but the second run lap, I started to struggle.
"I'm mentally tired, I can't lie, but I'm going to keep enjoying my racing."
One of the heartwarming images of the Paris Olympics was the sight of Wilde and Yee sharing a moment together after their battle for gold, but that relationship appeared strained, after Yee's over-the-top celebration at Boston.
Wilde extends his lead in individual Supertri standings, while Crown Racing teammate Georgia Taylor-Brown also won the women's event to put their outfit atop the table.
SHARE ME