Britain's Vicky Holland celebrates victory at the ITU World Cup event in Cape Town ©ITU

Britain’s Vicky Holland and home athlete Richard Murray were the victors on the day as the new International Triathlon Union World Cup series got underway amid huge crowds with what proved to be a superb sprint event in the Cape Town sunshine.

Holland was taking part in her first ITU race since Yokohama in May of last year, when an injury took her out of the field for nine months, but the Olympic bronze medallist demonstrated no adverse effects from the lay-off.

She emerged from the one-lap 750 metres swimming course in Cape Town harbour alongside teammate Non Stanford and onto the 20 kilometres bike ride in the lead pack.

In the course of the four flat but technical laps of the Cape Town Stadium, it was the front seven who made the most of the tight course and were able to extend the advantage.

By the bell, the gap had opened up to almost 40 seconds, and the British duo looked in control.

Having negotiated T2 without incident, Holland kicked on in the heat to win in 58min 18sec. 

Only Japan’s Ai Ueda was able to conjure up a faster 5km run time to assure herself of a top 10 finish, with Stanford claiming second place 34 seconds behidn her team-mate to make it a British one-two for the second year running following Lucy Hall and Jessica Learmonth’s success 12 months ago to the day.

Zsanett Bragmeyer of Hungary made it across the line in third, ahead of Japan’s Juri Ide and Rachel Klamer.

South Africa's Richard Murray defended his Cape Town ITU World Cup title today ©ITU
South Africa's Richard Murray defended his Cape Town ITU World Cup title today ©ITU

Home fans were rewarded by the sight of Murray, who finished fourth at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, accelerating away from his compatriot Henri Schoeman, the Rio 2016 bronze medallist, and Lukas Pertl of Austria to defend his title in time of 52:15.

Murray had emerged first from the water, but lost ground after struggling to free himself from his wet suit, allowing Schoeman, who also made the podium at this event last year, to take the lead on the bike ride.

Belgium’s Christophe de Keyser and Germany’s Jonas Schomberg ensured they were also in the lead group of bikes, ahead of a huge chasing pack.

Murray remained in position to seize the initiative, and once the run got underway he made his decisive move.

The Cape Town event was the first in a series of 17 worldwide stops for this second tier ITU competition.

The next stage in the competition is due to take place at Mooloolaba in Australia on March 10 and 11.