Organisers were forced to turn the event into a duathlon after determining there were issues with the water quality at the location of the swim course.

A five kilometres run replaced the swim circuit, with athletes then tackling a six-lap bike course and 10km run.

The women’s race saw a large leading group of 22 form on the bike leg, despite small gaps opening between athletes during the run.

A chasing group successfully closed the gap, leading the majority of the field to head into the final transition together.

Japan’s Ueda emerged strongly and broke away on the first of the four run laps with Ireland’s Carolyn Hayes.

Ueda eventually broke the resistance of the Irish athlete to pull clear and claim victory in 1 hour, 56 min and 38 sec.

She was followed across the line by Hayes, who clocked 1:56.55m, with the podium completed by Britain’s Kate Waugh in 1:57.28.

United States’ Matt McElroy had been tipped for success in Kazakhstan, following his second-place finish at the World Triathlon Series event in Leeds last week.

The American impressed during the duathlon format, as he formed part of the leading group on the opening run section and on the bike leg.

Australia’s Max Neumann slipped away in the final lap of the bike course, but faded during the 10km run.

His compatriot Hauser emerged during the final segment of the race to clinch an impressive victory in 1:43.51, following an earlier triumph in Chengdu this season.

South Africa’s Wian Sullwald crossed the line 16 seconds adrift of the Australian to finish runner-up, while McElroy was a further four seconds down in third.