In a historic event which marked the first ever visit of the series to Africa, Gómez set a fierce pace from the outset and eventually dropped British rival Jonny Brownlee with around four kilometres in the 10km run to go to win by 19 seconds in 1 hour 44min 52sec.

This continued the 31-year-old Spaniard's 100 per cent record in the 2014 series as he followed his season opening victory in Auckland earlier this month and continued his attempt to become just the second man, after Briton Simon Lessing, to win a fourth world title following triumphs in 2008, 2010 and 2013.

As he did at Auckland and at last year's ITU World Series final in London, Brownlee had to be content with second place as he also remained second in the overall standings.

The final spot on the Cape Town podium was taken by Russia's Dmitry Polyanskiy a further 24 seconds adrift, while Aaron Royle of Australia remains in third place overall despite finishing sixth on the day.
Jonny Brownlee was forced to accept second place behind the Spaniard once again after a spate of recent defeats ©Getty Images



"The run, I didn't feel very fresh I think we all were pretty tired," admitted Gómez.

"I had heavy legs but I just went as hard as I could on that third lap and I could make this little gap with Jonathan and luckily I could commit.

"I just didn't look back and went as hard as I could."

Brownlee admitted his opponent had simply been too good.