Spanish triathlon great Javier Gomez has opened his season with a perfect debut at the Geelong 70.3 race.
The five-time world champion and London Olympics silver medallist pulled away on the run for a comfortable win on Sunday in the half-Ironman distance event.
Gomez was second out of the 1.9km swim, stayed at the front throughout the 90km cycle and then took control on the 21.1km run.
The women's race went to Australian-based Czech triathlete Radka Kahlefeldt, who battled back from a toilet stop during the run to beat Australian Ellie Salthouse by less than a minute.
Gomez said he did not feel his best at the start of the run, but gradually increased his speed and was able to shake off his rivals.
He won in three hours 45 minutes 22 seconds, with Josh Amberger next in 3:49:37 and fellow Australian Tim Van Berkel completing the podium 22 seconds later.
The win means mission accomplished for Gomez, who used the race to confirm his start at the 70.3 world championships.
His season will be a mix of 70.3 events and also Olympic-distance racing as he tries to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
"I was a bit conservative because I have a lot of racing coming up, but overall it was a very consistent race and I am happy with the win," Gomez said.
In perfect conditions, Kahlefeldt was looking strong at the front of the women's race when she needed a toilet stop.
That cost her 40 seconds and the lead to Salthouse.
It took Kahlefeldt another 10km to return to the front and she won in 4:09:55.
Salthouse was next in 4:10:54 and compatriot Grace Thek took third with 4:12:22.
"I was chasing Ellie the whole way which I like because it is not boring and the 21km went really quick," Kahlefeldt said.
"It is amazing to start the year with a win, I am super happy."
On Saturday, Australian Matt Burton finished third at the Challenge Wanaka half-Ironman distance race and compatriot Kerry Morris was third in the women's, with New Zealand pair Braden Currie and Hannah Wells taking the wins.
Share
