The two-time world champion, sidelined since July, produced the fastest run of the day on his way to clocking an overall time of 1 hour 06min 21sec as he edged out Great Britain's George Peasgood in 1:08:17 and team mate Yan Guanter in 1:10.05.

Bourseaux put himself within 25 seconds of first place with a superb cycle, having trailed Peasgood by 2:16 in third position after the opening swim.

"1st victory of the season today #HAPPY," Bourseaux tweeted after his victory.

France's success was doubled when Stephane Bahier prevailed in the men's PT2 race, crossing the line in 1:16:54 to top the podium ahead of Britain's Andrew Lewis in 1:19:41 and Ryan Taylor in 1:20.11.

Despite losing some time on the run, the fastest finisher in both the swim and the cycle saw him comfortably stave off his rivals.

Stephane Bahier's success in the men's PT2 race at the opening ITU World Para-triathlon of the year in East London, South Africa, completed a French double  ©Getty Images



Italy's Giovanni Achenza recorded the quickest times in the cycle and run to come from a second-placed finish in the swim and claim victory in the men's PT1 with a time of 1:12:52.

Spain's Vicente Arzo Diago took the runners-up spot in 1:18:56 with home favourite Anton Swanepoel completing the podium in third, a further 2:01 behind.

Like France, Spain also had two winners, with Eva Maria Moral Pedrero and Rakel Mateo Uriarte triumphing in the women's PT1 and PT2 in times of 1:57:55 and 1:49:50 respectively, while Dylan Da Silva won the men's PT3 in front of his home crowd, registering a time of 1:21:03.

There were also successes for Slovenia's Alen Kobilica in the men's PT5, and Britain's Rhiannon Henry in the equivalent women's event.

A total of 39 athletes from 12 countries competed and they will now be looking ahead to the next ITU World Para-triathlon event, scheduled to take place on Australia's Sunshine Coast on March 13.

Triathlon is preparing to make its Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and a test event is scheduled in the Brazilian host city on August 1 and 2.

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