Tyler Mislawchuk powers to glory at ITU Tokyo Test Event

Friday 16 August 2019

It was a day to remember in Tokyo for Tyler Mislawchuk as he took it to the all-new Olympic course on Friday morning, powering to gold at the Tokyo Olympic Qualification Event, and a huge step towards a place at Tokyo 2020 in the process. It was the Canadian alongside Casper Stornes (NOR) and Hayden Wilde (NZL) out front for the majority of the 10km run, but as Wilde faded, it became a two-man surge to the line before Mislawchuk found yet another gear down the chute to secure gold.

“That’s the biggest race outside of the Olympics for me so that’s just unbelievable,” said a delighted Mislawchuk. “I had good legs on the day and I want to thank the boys out there for helping me out, we worked as a team out there and I couldn’t have done it without them. I can’t believe it.”

Behind those three it was another Norwegian, Gustav Iden, who held off Britain’s Jonathan Brownlee for fourth. Portugal’s double Olympian Joao Silva crossed in fifth ahead of Bence Bicsak (HUN), Pierre Le Corre (FRA), Henri Schoeman (RSA), Jonas Schomburg (GER) and Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS).

Race report
Under cloudy skies the temperature was well down on the previous day’s women’s race but the wind was whipping across Tokyo Bay with strong gusts on the bike course as the men lined up on the pontoon.

Jake Birtwhistle wore the number one knowing that even a top-eight finish could be enough to see him safely through to Tokyo 2020, but on the near side of the start it was Henri Schoeman once again spearheading the pack to the first buoy, leaving the Australian a minute back off his rival by the end of the two-lap swim.

Hungary’s Mark Devay and Richard Varga (SVK), Brownlee and Tayler Reid (NZL) were hot on Schoeman’s heels as they wheeled out of T1. Mislawchuk had also put in a good swim while Casper Stornes was some 30secs off the lead and Hayden Wilde had also toiled in the water coming out just ahead of Birtwhistle.

The front pack of eleven was chased down and by the end of the second lap a swarm of over 30 riders came along the edge of the bay with Jonas Schomburg leading the train, Kristian Blummenfelt, Jonny Brownlee, Bence Bicsak and Tom Bishop also powering the group forward with hard work out front.

It was Norway’s Gustav Iden who clocked the fastest lap of the day with 7m:07s on lap three, before things started to change as the bike wore on. First Richard Varga and Dorian Coninx, then Blummenfelt, Marten Van Riel and Lasse Luhrs came off, ending their races early as the wind took its toll on such a dense cycle pack.

Having barely been out of sight of the front for the entire race, Mislawchuk came up the ramp alongside teammate Matt Sharpe, Schoeman and Birtwhistle emerging together just behind Brownlee with Wilde and Stornes moving into position on the Canadians’ shoulders.

This year’s Belgian revelation Jelle Geens was also going well as part of a front five that now included Schomburg and stretched away from Brownlee and Iden, before also shedding the Belgian and German on lap two, leaving the talented young trio out alone and pulling away.

Their gap was 10 seconds over Brownlee and Iden at the 5km mark, but that only stretched as each tasted a formidable gold. After each had tested their rivals’ reserves, the first to really drop the hammer was Hayden Wilde, still 1.5km out. Stornes and Mislawchuk hung tough and Wilde began to fade, leaving the duo to forge ahead.

It wasn’t until the chute that the final chapter was written, Mislawchuk delving into his reserves to summon one last effort and pull away from Stornes, punching the tape in delight as he took the gold and a huge step towards a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Stornes was equally delighted with second, while Wilde crossed the line 8 seconds back but guaranteeing his seat on the plane next year with a superb podium.

“We prepared specifically for this,” added Mislawchuk, who now needs a top 5 in Lausanne, Bermuda or Yokohama to guarantee his place in Tokyo 2020. “Me and Hayden well turned the whole way and we knew we were in it for the medals if we worked together. It came down to a sprint and I had the legs and I wanted it more than anything today. I thought I may never have the chance to win a big race like this ever again so I’ve got to take it now.”
 
“If you want to do it on one course, it’s this course. Now we know how to prepare for next year as well. I just want to thank all my supporters and the people who believe in me, from now and it goes back to when I was 15-years old and my parents. It’s a big moment for everyone in my circle.”

“I had a good training camp before here and I felt really good”, said Stornes. “It’s been amazing to come back like this. It was a bit windy on some places on the course. I tried to stay in the middle of the group and not use so much energy. It means a lot since I haven’t had a good season. It was really nice to come back like this and show that I am capable of being on the podium.”

“The swim was brutal, there were guys all over my feet,” said Hayden Wilde afterwards. “I got onto the bike and saw a few familiar faces, even holding on to second wheel was a mission. The wind was insane and everyone was really good, taking turns. The legs felt really good.”
 
“Was first into transition and just wanted to find my legs quick on the run. From there, we were trying to keep it consistent, talking to each other and play it fair. The last lap was every man for itself. With about 1500m to go, I just didn’t have the legs in the end but I am absolutely stoked to get third.”

Results: Elite Men
1. Tyler Mislawchuk CAN 01:49:51
2. Casper Stornes NOR 01:49:55
3. Hayden Wilde NZL 01:50:03
4. Gustav Iden NOR 01:50:25
5. Jonathan Brownlee GBR 01:50:28

 

by Doug Gray ITU Triathlon (Photo: Delly Carr/ITU Media)


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Frysman

Reaklif, Warns, Netherlands

Laponia Triathlon

Gällivare, Sweden

Stone Extreme

Lago d'Iseo / Passo Paradiso, Italy

Swedeman Xtreme

Östernoren, Sweden

Odyssey

St Neots, United Kingdom

Challenge Roth

Roth, Germany

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Tri Tour El Pont de Suert

El Pont de Suert, Spain

La Tour Geneve

Geneve, Switzerland

Garmin Tri Tour Elblag

Elblag, Poland

Great White North

Hubbles Lake, Alberta, Canada

Outlaw Half Holkham

Holkham Hall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

70.3 Muskoka

Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

70.3 Jonkoping

Jönköping, Sweden

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

Van Riel's Dominance: Marten Van Riel controlled the men's race from the swim, building a significant lead on the bike and maintaining it through the run. This win also qualified him for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. Michele Bortolamedi (ITA) finished second, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN) took third. more

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN European Championship for professional men took place in Frankfurt today, making the 11th race of the IRONMAN Pro Series. In a nail-biting race right up to the bitter end, it was Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt who took the tape, claiming his second straight win in Frankfurt, and second regional IRONMAN Championship title this year. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.