A big-money global triathlon series has become a source of ridicule and bemusement after a number of chaotic and costly mix-ups at the penultimate event in Dubai.

New Zealand's dual Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde, as well as fellow race leaders Mathis Margirier of France and Belgian Marten Van Riel all completed an extra 8km circuit on the bike leg of Saturday's race.

Then at least 10 men ran one lap too few, with Germany's Mika Noodt crossing the line first mistakenly believing he had won the $USD25,000 winner's prize.

Red-faced organisers, who blamed a faulty lap counter, eventually awarded the race to American Morgan Pearson given he was leading after the seventh running lap, which was the last-known correct timing.

Wilde, who had won all five events he'd entered this year and is th

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