World Triathlon Championship Series Yokohama 2024: Leonie Periault and Morgan Pearson top podiums

Leonie Periault flies to second WTCS gold

In the women’s race, Periault claimed the second WTCS win of her career ahead of American Taylor Knibb and French team-mate Emma Lombardi.

Former under-23 world champion Lombardi flew out of the final transition into the run leg and was soon joined at the front by Periault, Great Britain’s Kate Waugh, Germany’s Laura Lindemann and USA’s Kirsten Kasper.

With Knibb managing to make up ground after a slow second transition, Periault moved to the front after the first lap and built up a handy lead of more than 20 seconds. The 29-year-old never looked like being caught as shhe won in 1:52:28, more than half a minute clear of Knibb in second.

“I am very happy, I don’t understand the performance,” said a stunned Periault afterwards. “It’s a good start for me after the winter, with my new coaches. I am happy but don’t understand the result.”

In her first race for well over a year after a long-term knee injury, reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy finished in seventh place with Rio 2016 gold medallist Gwen Jorgensen down in 15th position.

With three Americans finishing in front of Jorgensen – Knibb, Taylor Spivey in fourth and Kasper fifth – the 38-year-old’s hopes of making Paris appear to be receding.

The second round of this year’s WTCS takes place in Cagliari, Italy on 25 May.