France’s Nils Serre Gehri produced a dramatic late surge to win the men’s individual title at the World Triathlon Cup Hong Kong on Saturday, while Russia’s Diana Isakova continued her strong run of form by claiming the women’s race.

Gehri, who won the U23 title in Pontevedra, Spain, in September, clocked 50 minutes and 14 seconds.

He overtook Australia’s Callum McClusky right at the finish line to seal the victory, with Spain’s David Castro Fajardo rounding out the podium in third.

Hong Kong, China’s Nicholas Tsang finished 58th in 54 minutes and 44 seconds.

In the women’s race, Isakova arrived in Hong Kong fresh from a World Cup win in Rome and made it back-to-back victories, finishing in 55 minutes and 39 seconds.

Luxembourg’s Jeanne Lehair took second, followed by Huang Anqi of the national team.

Hilda Choi was the top finisher among Hong Kong triathletes in 37th place, with Cade Wright 39th and Bailee Brown 50th.

The roughly 24-kilometre course began along the Central and Wan Chai waterfront, with athletes opening with a 750-metre swim in Victoria Harbour.

They then tackled an 18.5-kilometre bike leg past Expo Drive, the International Finance Centre and the Central Piers before closing with a five-kilometre run to the finish line on Lung Wo Road.

The mixed team relay is scheduled for Sunday.




Edited by Azam Khan