Multisport: Docherty battles back in triathlon

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Bevan Docherty came from behind to win the World Cup triathlon on Queensland's Sunshine Coast yesterday.

Earlier, fellow New Zealander Andrea Hewitt finished third ahead of teammate Sam Warriner in the women's race.

Docherty was surprised to have won his third World Cup race after being knocked around in the swim and falling into the chase pack on the bike.

He showed his strength on the demanding Mooloolaba course, producing a devastating 10km run to catch the leaders with 1km remaining.

He then outsprinted world No 1 Hunter Kemper, of the United States, to win in a time of 1 hour 49 minutes 43 seconds, ahead of Kemper, Australian Courtney Atkinson and New Zealand teammate Kris Gemmell.

"After getting knocked around in the swim and being so far back I was looking for an opportunity to pull out of the race, to tell the truth," said Docherty, who earned the Games medal in Melbourne a week ago.

"It is such a tough course and a hot day. I just hung in there and gradually they came back to me on the run.

"I've kept quiet all week and concentrated on recovery, and I knew I was in really good running shape."

Hewitt, a bronze medallist at the Games, led the New Zealand challenge in the women's race. Australia's Annabel Luxford won the race from compatriot Liz Blatchford.

Warriner, the Games silver medallist, was fourth with another New Zealander, Debbie Tanner, sixth.

- NZPA