By David Gold

Jodie Stimpson_with_banner_Sept_16September 9 - Britain's Jodie Stimpson won her first World Cup victory at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) tour in Guatapé, Colombia.


Stimpson (pictured) led early on as she swam in the pack with Paola Diaz of Mexico, Colombia's Diana Castillo and Militza Ríos of Puerto Rico, building up an advantage over the rest of the field.

Diaz, Rios and Stimpson continued to surge away from the pack during the bike leg and soon built up a lead of more than one minute on the challenging hilly course.

The West Midlands born athlete took advantage of the difficult terrain to cement a lead of almost two and a half minutes over her rivals, as she cruised the run to secure the title in 2 hours 12min 21sec.

The 2009 British triathlon champion had been angry at missing out on selection for London 2012 earlier this year, but said she thrilled with her "fantastic" win in GB's Stimpson wins first ITU title in Colombia.

"The crowd was awesome, the weather was nice and warm," she said.

"The course was hilly, which made it even better, it makes a proper triathlon.

"My coach told me to keep the first half of the bike steady and work the second half."

Jodie Stimpson_celebrates_Triathlon_World_Cup_victory__Sept_16Jodie Stimpson of Britain celebrates her first ITU Triathlon World Cup victory

Poland's Maria Cześnik came second in a time of 2:17:15, with Diaz taking third more than three minutes behind.

The men's race saw Mexico enjoy a gold-silver finish as Cristanto Grajales finished ahead of Sergio Sarmiento in 2:02:14.

It was the first ever ITU World Cup win for Grajales, who last month competed at the Olympics in London, finishing 28th.

Another Mexican, Irving Perez, went into an early lead during the swim and continued to lead into the bike leg.

He was eventually reeled in by a group which included home favourite Hernan Rubiano, who soon moved ten seconds ahead of a nine-person pack.

He was quickly caught by Guatemala's Gerado Vergara, who also lost the lead shortly after going ahead.

America's Manuel Huerta and Grajales took control during the run, with Leonardo Chacon of Costa Rica and Sarmiento following in close pursuit.

Cristanto Grajales_Sept_16Cristanto Grajales of Mexico also celebrates his first ITU Triathlon World Cup win 

Chacon was unable to keep the pace as the other three picked it up, and it looked as though it would be a battle between Huerta and Grajales for the victory.

However, Grajales produced a superb late burst to clinch the gold medal with Sarmiento claiming second in 2:02:23 as he raced past Huerta, who registered his first ITU World Cup podium finish in third place with a time of 2:02:24.

"I am very happy, thank you to everyone who came out to cheer us, and who put on the race," Grajales said.

"Last year I was second, so it's great to win this year.

"It was an incredible race.

"On the third lap, I realised I had some more left, so I attacked the final lap."

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