After suffering the disappointment of finishing just outside the medal places in yesterday’s women’s duathlon race, Priarone responded in superb fashion in Ibiza.

The Italian, who had also agonisingly missed out on relay gold last year, teamed up with Samuele Anglini to seal victory.

Each leg comprised a fast, intense two-kilometre run along the Santa Eulalia harbourside, straightforward five kilometres out-and-back bike and final 1km finish, with the men out first and women charged with taking the tape.

Angelini and Priarone combined to powerful effect, capitalising on an early bike crash between France II and Spain II to dominate the second half of the race.

The Italian pairing powered to victory in a winning time of 1hr 10min 19sec.

"I really wanted a medal, but to get this win is really special," said Angelini.

"We did a really good job as a team.

"I was under pressure to keep the lead and I didn’t know if I could do that gain after the first leg because I went for it like it was my only race.

"I am very happy, it’s an incredible result.

"We had to work really hard for this result, and the pressure was on to keep the lead."

France I featuring Marion Le Goff and Benjamin Choquert crossed for silver in 1:11.00, edging Belgium’s Maurine Riccour and Arnaud Dely who had to settle for bronze in 1:11.02.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with men’s and women’s aquathlon races.