The New Zealand mixed triathlon team has finished 14th overall at the Paris Olympics after a cycle crash involving Hayden Wilde hampered their placing.
Wilde, the silver medallist in the men’s individual event a few days ago, led off for New Zealand and, after a mediocre swim, tangled with Frenchman Pierre le Corre and crashed to the ground.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The incident cost Wilde time he was not able to make up during the rest of the ride or on the run and after that the New Zealand team was always fighting an uphill battle.
"A disaster," said Wilde after the race. "I caught back up to the group and was coming around to the last bend, got pushed out of my line a bit and had to recorrect. I was going too fast.
"The front wheel just slipped out, which included me taking out the French as well.
"I got on the bike pretty quick, but I think I was pretty high with adrenaline and got into the transition and didn't realise my nose was gushing with blood. I know it's not broken, so my modelling career can continue.”
Wilde said he tried everything to get New Zealand back in the race.
"It wasn't meant to be. Crashes happen within the race, so apologies to the team.
"We fought hard in a very difficult and tough position. I feel that was on me. You can't control crashes."
The Kiwi team of Wilde, Nicole van der Kaay, Dylan McCullough and Ainsley Thorpe – finished 14th of the 15 starters in 1 hour 30 minutes 23 seconds, almost five minutes behind gold medallists Germany.
Wilde completed his leg in 20:34 and despite his crash during the bike ride, was still the fastest of the New Zealanders.
Van der Kaay completed her duties in 24:12, McCullough, who had a particularly good swim, took 20:48 and Thorpe finished with a 24:49 effort.