Japan's Ai Ueda claimed victory in the women's race at the ITU World Cup in Cozumel ©Getty Images

Japan’s Ai Ueda and South Africa’s Richard Murray claimed the respective women’s and men’s titles at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup in Cozumel, Mexico.

Showcasing an impressive come-from-behind run to make up time after being in the chase pack on the bike, Ueda was able to secure her first ITU World Cup win of the season with a time of 59 min 9sec.

The win also gave her a second victory in Mexico, after earning the gold medal at the Huatulco World Cup last year.

"I love Mexico," said Ueda.

"After the Chicago Grand Final [last month], I did two weeks of high altitude training in Mexico City.

"The Mexican people are just very kind and they give me good support.

"I had good training, and when I came here I could hear the Mexican people cheering my name, so my motivation went up and today I had a perfect race."

Joining Ueda on the podium was The Netherlands’ Rachel Klamer and Australia’s Erin Densham, who claimed the silver and bronze medals respectively.

South Africa's Richard Murray came away with the men's crown in Cozumel
South Africa's Richard Murray came away with the men's crown in Cozumel ©Getty Images

Meanwhile, Murray secured his fourth consecutive ITU podium with a time of 55:03, having already taken home bronze medals from the Rio 2016 test event, the World Triathlon Series (WTS) meet in Edmonton and the WTS Grand Final in Chicago this year.

The 26-year-old found himself well down the pecking order after clocking a time of 09:52 in the swim, but turned the tide in the cycle, registering the third best time in the field; 29:01.

"I thought I was in a good position in the swim, until I got onto the bike and saw 50 bikes there and that is normally not a good sign," said Murray, whose win was his first in Cozumel.

"But I felt great on the bike and managed to pull it together.

"I am happy with the race.

"I am very happy to race in Cozumel and get the win."

Earning his first podium of the year, the men's silver medal went to Canada’s Kyle Jones, followed by Hungary’s Gabor Faldum, who walked away with his second consecutive World Cup podium having come second on home soil in Tizsaujvaros.

The next ITU World Cup event is scheduled to take place in the Turkish city of Alanya from October 17 to 18.



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