Gomez wins first race of Triathlon World Series

Javier Gomez. AFP

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Javier Gomez held out Spanish compatriot Mario Mola to win the elite men’s race at Saturday’s Auckland International Triathon, the first leg of the ITU World Series, claiming his fourth win from as many starts on the downtown course.

Gomez completed the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer cycle and 10-kilometer run in 1 hour, 55 minutes, 51 seconds; 12 seconds ahead of Mola and 31 seconds ahead of Portugal’s Joao Silva in third place.

Richard Varga led after the swim and the lead changed hands several times on the undulating cycle course before Gomez and Mola fought out first place on the run.

The elite women’s race will be held later Saturday.