Alarza clocked a time of 54min 12sec to finish five seconds ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain and a further six clear of France’s Dorian Coninx in third.

Victory maintained Spain’s domination of this season’s World Triathlon Series circuit following victories for Mario Mola at the opening two legs in Abu Dhabi and Gold Coast.

Mola had to settle for fourth place today, finishing 10 seconds behind first-time World Triathlon Series medallist Coninx on the first sprint-distance course of the season.

"A sprint distance is good for me," said Alarza, who is eyeing a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"I think I had the best race of my life.

"I am so happy because now I think I can qualify for Rio finally."

For the third consecutive year, the women’s title was captured by a Briton as Non Stanford opened up her 2016 season with a victory

It saw her return the top of the podium for the first time since 2013, when she won at the Grand Final in London.

Stanford showcased her power in the final kilometre of the run to cross the line in 59:49, seven seconds ahead of fellow Briton Jodie Stimpson who made it onto her second World Triathlon Series podium of the year with silver.

"I came in really apprehensive; some of my friends and family told me they were going to watch me on the TV and I had to tell them they probably would not see me," Stanford, who follows in the footsteps of 2014 winner Stimpson and 2015 victor Vicky Holland, said. 

"But I was really shocked to be up there at the front.

"I was a little worried about the run because I did quite a bit of work on the bike.

"I thought I might pay for it, but it was just about going out there today and having fun and going through the processes."

Rounding out the podium was Bermuda’s Flora Duffy, whose bronze-medal finish in 59:59 was enough to move her to the top of the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings.