The Incredible Men’s Racing at the IRONMAN 70.3 Worlds in Nice in Pictures

Kevin Mackinnon

September 13, 2026

^{Kristian Blummenfelt gets lots of attention on the live coverage as he nears the top of the Col de Vence. Photos: Kevin Mackinnon}

In the end it came down to just 18 seconds. Once again Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt would be relegated to second place, and once again he pushed the winner to nothing short of brilliant excellence. There was no denying New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde here in Nice today – the Kiwi was simply brilliant throughout the race and would hold off Blummenfelt’s late charge to take his first IRONMAN 70.3 world title. We recapped the day’s racing earlier today – now we’ll bring you some pictures from the exciting day here in the south of France.

Hayden Wilde Wins 70.3 World Championship in Thrilling Finish

^{They’re off – the men hit the water for today’s non-wetsuit swim.}

^{Morgan Pearson was ninth out of the water (his countryman Seth Rider led the way). Photo: Eric Wynn}

^{… while defending champion Jelle Geens was just a few seconds back. Photo: Eric Wynn}

^{The real racing really began on the challenging Col de Vence climb. Germany’s Lasse Priester was among the leaders as the group neared the top.}

^{As was South Africa’s Jamie Riddle, who chose to use Felt’s new aero road frame – the Nexar – for today’s race.}

^{Wilde made a big push towards the end of the climb to get up towards the front.}

^{Geens was also in a good position at this point of the race.}

^{The challenging, technical and speedy descent had one victim – Germany’s Marcel Bolbat.}

^{Thankfully he was able to get back to the road, but unfortunately his race was done. We wish him a speedy recovery.}

^{Priester would push through the first lap of the run …}

^{… but that was all Wilde was willing to let him have as he surged away.}

^{Blummenfelt was charging hard after starting the run 2:30 down from the lead.}

^{Gustav Iden was getting lots of attention on the coverage, too.}

^{Casper Stornes and Riddle pushed each other on the run.}

^{Keeping cool became a challenge at the temperatures started to rise.}

^{A thrilled Wilde takes the title.}

^{Just seconds later Blummenfelt would arrive at the finish line.}

^{An all-out effort …}

^{Jelle Geens wasn’t able to make it three in a row, but after his injury from earlier this year, he was happy with the hard-fought podium finish.}

^{Iden would finish fourth.}

^{Priester would hang on for fifth.}

^{Stornes would take sixth.}

Riddle would take seventh.

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