Entering the second round of the 2024 WTCS, the name on everyone’s lips is Morgan Pearson after the American athlete won the Series opener in impressive fashion. As a multiple WTCS medallist beforehand, Pearson’s display was clearly no flash in the pan and he will now try to double his number of gold medals.
A 29:11 10km split was perhaps the biggest takeaway from Pearson’s race. That stands as one of the quickest run splits of recent times and also came after he exited T2 slightly down on the leaders. Had he entered T2 at the front (without the final lap bike in Yokohama crash causing interference), he might have won by even more. The main takeaway from Pearson’s run, then, is that there may be even more in the tank.
However, Pearson’s new-found ascendancy in the men’s WTCS will come under a stern test in Cagliari. Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde return to make their first appearances in this year’s Series and, based on their showings at the race last season, will be tough to beat. Yee claimed gold to Wilde’s silver in 2023 as they logged the fastest ever 10km run splits in the WTCS. As swift as Pearson’s 29:11 was, it was still the best part of 40 seconds slower than Yee’s Cagliari 10km split (course measurement question marks aside).
Yee also won the French Grand Prix opener in Fréjus a few weeks ago. Wilde took 2nd place at the same event after a mechanical, while the New Zealander also logged a 5000m personal best to give a hint at his running form.
With good form behind them, on paper Yee and Wilde will be formidable opponents. However, their last WTCS outings saw them fade in out of the picture in Pontevedra. Over the past two years, the general story of the men’s WTCS has been Yee and Wilde dominance during the regular season while the Finals have been another matter. Seeing as Cagliari is classic in-season stop, normal service can be expected and Yee may make it three wins from three in Sardinia.
Elsewhere, Leo Bergere will likely be a contender. The 2022 world champion medalled in Cagliari in 2023 and finished 4th in Yokohama a fortnight ago. Luke Willian will also be racing after his brilliant bronze medal-winning performance in Yokohama. While Willian is clearly in great form, after the highs of a maiden medal and Olympic qualification he may struggle to recapture the same emotional energy so soon.
Miguel Hidalgo will be one to watch. The Brazilian athlete logged the second fastest run split in Yokohama after losing time in the final lap crash and is one of the faster swimmers in the field. Over the past year, he has made great strides forward and will be knocking on the door for a maiden medal in the Series.
Similarly, Tim Hellwig will need to be watched. The silver medallist at the WTCS Final last year recently finished 3rd behind Yee and Wilde in the French Grand Prix. Like Hidalgo (and Bergere), he combines rapid swimming speed with superb running ability. Indeed, in the event of a faster swim that catches Yee, Wilde or Pearson off guard, Hellwig is one of the likeliest men to profit.
Pierre Le Corre’s WTCS form from 2023 also makes him tough to overlook while Vincent Luis will likely have a final roll of the dice as he seeks Olympic qualification. The core battle, however, seems to be between Pearson and the Yee-Wilde axis.
TriStats Predictions
- Alex Yee
- Hayden Wilde
- Morgan Pearson
- Miguel Hidalgo
- Tim Hellwig
