Multisport: Docherty's timely Euro win

Bevan Docherty is in tremendous form ahead of the world championships in Switzerland. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Triathlete Bevan Docherty showed impeccable timing when winning the European Cup in Switzerland yesterday.

New Zealand's 2004 Olympic silver medallist posted a time of 1h 59m 28s in the International Triathlon Union event in Geneva.

His win was timely - just two weeks ahead of the world championships in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Stephen Farrell, Triathlon New Zealand high performance director, said Docherty's performance confirmed he was in top form for the championships. "Just two weeks out from the worlds it's great to see Docherty achieving such a great result," Farrell said.

"That win is surely set to make him one of the race favourites."

Docherty assumed control of the race during the run, after making it to the head of the pack in the swim and cycle legs.

On the 40km six-lap bike course, Docherty joined Swiss triathlete Sven Riederer, Briton Andrew Johns, Canadian Colin Jenkins, Italian Andrea D'Aquino and Dan Alterman, of Israel, in a lead group holding an advantage of 2m 30s on their pursuers.

Riederer, followed by Docherty and Johns, then took off from the lead pack during the 10km run alongside Geneva Lake.

Docherty snatched the lead from Riederer halfway through the run before finishing 10s ahead of Johns.

Riederer was third, 33s behind the New Zealander.

- NZPA