The T100 Dubai turned into one of the most chaotic triathlons in recent memory – perhaps ever. In a race defined not by tactics or fitness but by lap-count miscalculations, several of the sport’s biggest names accidentally sabotaged their own chances. Hayden Wilde, Marten Van Riel, and Mathis Margirier all rode one lap too many on the bike, destroying their dominant lead. Then, in a bizarre twist of déjà vu, Morgan Pearson did the exact same during the run, losing what seemed an unassailable victory. In the end, it was Germany’s Mika Noodt who stayed calm amid the madness and captured an improbable win.
What was expected to be yet another masterclass from Hayden Wilde – who had won all five of his T100 starts this season – disintegrated in a matter of seconds. Leading comfortably with Van Riel and Margirier locked onto his wheel, Wilde rode straight through a turn where he should have headed into T2. Instead of completing eight bike laps, the trio rode nine, instantly turning their race upside down.
Their costly mistake erased a hard-earned advantage of over two minutes on Samuel Dickinson and Noodt, and even more on the chase pack featuring Gregory Barnaby, Jonas Schomburg, Morgan Pearson, Vincent Luis, and Felipe Azevedo. By the time the three leaders finally entered T2, they were more than eight minutes down – and visibly shell-shocked. Wilde in particular seemed stunned, taking several moments to fully understand what had gone wrong.
With Wilde’s unbeaten streak effectively over, suddenly the race belonged to the chasers. Dickinson initially took charge on the run, but Noodt looked composed and patient, eventually moving into the lead around the seven-kilometer mark. Behind them, Pearson was charging through the field at frightening speed. He overtook Dickinson with roughly seven kilometers to go and then set his sights on Noodt.
Five kilometers from the finish, Pearson surged into the lead and appeared to be cruising toward a statement victory in Dubai. But in a dramatic repeat of the bike-course confusion, the American also miscounted and completed an extra run lap. Unaware of his error, he crossed the finish line celebrating – only to find ten athletes already there.
Noodt, who had executed the cleanest race among the frontrunners, claimed a stunning win in 3:07:30. Vincent Luis secured second in 3:09:19, with Dickinson completing the podium at 3:09:47. Wilde, furious but relentless to the end, still clawed his way back to fifth. Pearson, meanwhile, was left devastated as he crossed the line in 11th, disbelief written across his face.
Note: Immediately after the finish, several participants filed a protest. While these protests are being reviewed, the PTO has announced that the official result is under investigation.
Note 2: About one hour after the race the PTO removed the results out of their own app. Read more here.
