By Nick Butler

Gwen Jorgensen continued as she left off in 2014 with a comfortable victory in Abu Dhabi ©ITUUnited States' Gwen Jorgensen and Spaniard Mario Mola both made a superb start at the opening event of the 2015 World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi today, each pulling clear on the running leg to secure comfortable victories.


For Jorgensen, it was a case simply of continuing the superb form at the back end of last season which saw her win five successive World Series races culminating in the Grand Final in Edmonton.

The 28-year-old from Wisconsin was a minute down heading into the run in the Gulf Emirate - as Abu Dhabi made its debut in the 10-stage Series - only to produce a customary burst of late speed to close the gap on the leaders.

She eventually finished 16 seconds ahead of compatriot Katie Zaferes in 58min 59sec, while Bermuda's Flora Duffy claimed third to secure a first ever Series medal.

Last season's silver and bronze medallists in the overall series, Sarah True of the US and Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand, finished down in ninth and fifth respectively.

"I was shocked by how fast I ran," Jorgensen said straight after the race.

"I've had some good run sessions but I didn't know I was running that well.

"You can't give up until the finish line, that's something I've learned."

Mario Mola ensured their was Spanish success on the Gulf course after breaking clear on the run ©ITUMario Mola ensured their was Spanish success on the Gulf course after breaking clear on the run ©ITU



The men's race which followed after the women's one was lacking Great Britain's Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, who is injured, but a field of the highest quality was present nonetheless, including Spanish world champion Javier Gómez.

But Gomez produced a below par performance as compatriot Mola, last year's overall runner-up, prospered instead.

Mola pulled clear on the run to win in 52min 32sec, 13 seconds clear of France's Vincent Luis, while South African Richard Murray placed third.

Gomez finished down in sixth place, one position behind Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee, in a possible indication of a changing of the guard in the upper echelons of the sport.

"I felt really good throughout the whole triathlon," said Mola, who also won last year's World Series leg in London.

"In the run I put 110 per cent down and did all I could.

"I tried to put the hammer down before the sprint so I could hold on to it until the end, so I am really happy about that."

The next leg for both the male and female competitors will come on March 28 and 29 in Auckland, New Zealand.