The Frenchman, fourth at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, claimed victory in the Hungarian city following a sensational performance in the laser-run.

The competition proved tight all day with seven athletes starting the laser-run within 15 seconds of the leader, Bence Demeter of Hungary.

Prades moved from third to first on the opening lap and at that point he looked set to go on to claim the win with ease.

When he stalled at the second shooting range, however, South Korea's Jung Jinhwa moved into the lead before Ukraine's Pavlo Tymoshchenko briefly took top spot at the fourth shooting zone.

Prades managed to increase his pace in the latter stages of the race and soon found himself in a position to move to the front of the field before storming across the line in first.

Demeter also managed to overtake Rio 2016 silver medallist Tymoshchenko on the final straight and claim the runner-up position with the Ukrainian taking third.

"I just tried to stay calm and focus on my shooting, and luckily it was good enough today," said Prades.

"I hope this is a good preparation for the World Championships in Cairo in August.

"The European Championships and World Championships are my big targets this summer and the World Cup is a great form of preparation."

Earlier in the day, the South Koreans dominated swimming with the fastest three times set by Hwang Woojing, Jung Jinhwa and Jun Woongtae.

Hungary's Demeter was the leading athlete in the fencing as he managed 24 victories and 11 losses, one more win than Pavlo Zvedeniuk of Ukraine and Lithuanian Justinas Kinderis.

There was an incredible performance in the bonus round by Egypt's Eslam Hamad, who won 10 consecutive bouts before Zvedeniuk defeated him to take the last three points.

There were two immaculate performances in the riding phase as both Robert Kasza of the Czech Republic and Hamad enjoyed perfect scores of 300.

Japan's Tomoyuki Ono, Italian Gianluca Micozzi and Gergely Demeter of Hungary all only conceded a solitary point.

Action in Kecskemét is due to conclude tomorrow with the mixed relay.

The event is the third World Cup competition of the season.

The circuit is next due to head to Drzonkow in Poland for the penultimate competition of the regular season from May 25 to 29.

Vilnius in Lithuania is set to stage the World Cup Final from June 23 to 25.