New Zealand's Kris Gemmell was edged out of a podium placing in the latest round of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup in Hungary today.
Gemmell finished fourth in the ninth round in Tiszaujvaros today in a confidence-boosting performance ahead of the world championships in Japan in four weeks.
In another frantic finish, veteran Kazakhstan triathlete Dimitry Gaag was given the nod ahead of Australian Brad Kahlefeldt and his compatriot Courtney Atkinson.
Gemmell was mostly responsible for ensuring the main pack did not lose sight of the breakaway group including brilliant Australian swim-biker Craig Walton, local hero Csaba Kuttor and veteran Frenchman Ben Sanson.
Gemmell and Jan Frodeno pushed hard at the front of the main pack to keep the margin to just 40 seconds after the 40km bike on the flat Hungary course, and quickly swallowed up the leaders on the four-lap 10km run.
The New Zealander was in the five-strong group that broke clear on the run, with Gemmell dropped only 400m from the finish. Gaag was given the decision by 0.01sec, with Atkinson 100m behind.
Gemmell will be pleased with his strong showing over the last week with a sixth in Hamburg last weekend and fourth in Hungary in two of the fastest races in world Cup history.
They were both on similar courses to the flat, technical course in Japan for the world championships.
Auckland junior Liam Scopes finished in a creditable 26th place on the back of a strong 32min 25sec leg for the 10km run.
Meanwhile, Taupo's Bryan Rhodes won the Busingen Triathlon in Switzerland yesterday.
Rhodes took out Switzerland's oldest triathlon after a strong effort on the bike.
The race consists of a 5km swim down the Rhine River in Germany, a 60km hilly cycle over the mountains into Switzerland and finish 17km run on forest tracks.
Taranaki triathletes Kyle Bridgeman and Shanon Barnett were eighth and ninth respectively.
Results, ninth round ITU World Cup, Hungary:
Men: Dimitry Gaag (Kazakhstan) 1:45.51 1, Brad Kahlefeldt (Australia) 1:45.51 2, Courtney Atkinson (Australia) 1:46.08 3, Kris Gemmell (New Zealand) 1:46.14 4. Also: Liam Scopes (NZ) 1:49.40 26, Chris McAteer (NZ) dnf.
- NZPA
