World number one Javier Gomez of Spain had a possible first world title slip out of his hands in Hamburg last month, but makes sure that does not happen again this time at the Beijing Triathlon World Cup.
Gomez, the runner-up here last year, finished atop of the podium in a time of 1:48.41 at the Beijing World Cup. It's a best result for Gomez this season.
World top 15 triathletes all come here to brace up themselves at the pre-Olympic event. Gomez came forward just at the start of running race and never allowed a slip of his lead.
Courtney Atkinson from Australia was second with 22 seconds adrift and Bevan Docherty third in 1:49.08.
"It's my best result this season, so it helps me a lot for next year's Games. I hoped to spring out at the first lap of run and I managed to do that," said Gomez, the runner-up at the Hamburg Triathlon World Championship two weeks ago.
"It's an Olympic test event, so it's also a test for me in the Beijing Olympic Games.
"Today has a very comfortable climate and the Olympic Games surely will be hotter, but it's OK for us to compete under tough conditions.
"The weather will be a challenge for triathletes next year, so I need to train hard on hot weather towards the Olympics."
The competition format includes a 1500m swim in open water, a 40km bike ride (six laps course) and a 10km run (four laps course). The competition is continuous with no breaks.
Reigning champion Frederic Belaubre of France took the seventh place, but expected to be back and present a better result next year.
"It's a very tough race. A lot of top athletes came here to tryout the Olympic course, so it's a race between the best," said Belaubre, adding that he would come back next year and try to perform better.
Courtney Atkinson, ranked 20th, was impressed by his silver.
"It's a good day. The weather is great and it's a very fast race for we to try to catch the world No. 1 all the way," said Atkinson.
But the bronze taker Docherty, world No. 3, did not take the medal as something heavy. "Olympic Games is special, and anything can happen. You need to take something special on the course like this for Olympics," said Docherty.
"Like the Athens Games, one fell, all fell, so no one can tell what it will be at the Beijing Games."
"The hot weather on the Olympics is a concern for us, but everyone is racing under the same weather."
Docherty responded very positively on the venue. "It's outstanding venue. I'm very impressed on what Chinese had done on the venue. Personally it's amazing to see the venue like this. Some road requires a lot for cycling, but it's just great to race here," said Docherty.
U.S. athlete Andy Potts finished the water field first in 17 minutes 29 seconds. It's Canadian Colin Jenkins who led the first lap among a cycling pack of sixty. The peleton hung on to be together until the last lap of cycling.
New Zealander Kris Gemmell was the first to finish the cycling race, but it's world No. 1 Gomez who came up in leaps and bounds at the running leg.
Gomez soon established his lead in the first lap of run and extended his pace to the finish.
The three band of Atkinson, Docherty and Kris Gemmell of New Zealand followed up all the way on Gomez's track, but they never really threatened his lead after the first lap of run.
This is the third consecutive ITU World Cup event held in Beijing. This year's course is slightly different in length than the previous two years', which is specially designed for the Olympic Games.
Triathlon made its debut at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000.
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)