Vincent Luis of France was victorious in the women's Sarasota-Bradenton triathlon event, his first World Cup race in over four years ©ITU Triathlon

Renee Tomlin of the United States and Vincent Luis of France won at the 2018 Sarasota-Bradenton International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup event which was changed to a duathlon format. 

The race was changed to a run-bike-run format rather than the traditional swim-bike-run due to the results of a water quality test.

Participants ran a 2.5 kilometres lap before cycling for 18.3km, and then finished with 5km of running at the Nathan Benderson Park.

Tomlin just edged compatriot Kirsten Kasper and Vendula Frintova of the Czech Republic to win her first World Cup event of the year and fourth of her career. 

The American finished in 54mins 34secs while Kasper and Frintova were one second behind in 54:35. 

Renee Tomlin of the United States won the women's Sarasota-Bradenton triathlon race, her first World Cup event win of the year ©ITU Triathlon
Renee Tomlin of the United States won the women's Sarasota-Bradenton triathlon race, her first World Cup event win of the year ©ITU Triathlon

In the men's event, Luis took part in his first World Cup race in over four years and won it in 48:18.

The Frenchman was second in the top-tier World Triathlon Series this season.

Training partner Jelle Geens of Belgium finished behind him in 48:25, with Joao Pereira of Portugal coming third in the same time. 

The Sarasota-Bradenton event is the only World Cup race held in the United States.

It went ahead despite weather fears following Hurricane Michael. 

The next ITU Triathlon World Cup event will take place in Salinas in Ecuador on October 21.