Australia’s Felicity Sheedy-Ryan came out on top in the women's duathlon event at the ITU Multisport World Championships ©ITU

France’s Benoit Nicolas and Australia’s Felicity Sheedy-Ryan reclaimed their respective elite men’s and women’s duathlon titles after coming out on top at the International Triathlon Union Multisport World Championships in Canadian city Penticton today. 

Nicolas clocked a time of 1 hour 54min 5sec to clinch the crown he won in 2014, while Sheedy-Ryan crossed the line in 2:03:57 to repeat her feat from 2012.

The events saw athletes complete 10 kilometre and 5km runs with a 40.5km bike ride sandwiched in the middle.

Following behind Nicolas on the men’s podium was Spain’s Emilio Martin, who took second in 1:54:57, and Great Britain’s Mark Buckingham, the third-place finisher in 1:55:14.

The Frenchman proved to have the stronger legs on the day as he established the early lead.

While he chose to take his time penalty during the second lap, he had created enough of a lead that it didn’t matter.

Nicolas was then free to enter the finish chute and seize the winner’s tape.

Joining Sheedy-Ryan on the women’s podium was Spaniard Margarita Garcia Cañellas, who earned silver in 2:05:14, and Britain’s Emma Pallant, who claimed bronze in 2:06:12.

Once Sheedy-Ryan entered the second transition to start out on the remaining 5km run leg, victory never looked in doubt.

Her lead stuck through to the end and she drove home to claim the win.  

France’s Benoit Nicolas won the men's duathlon event ©ITU
France’s Benoit Nicolas won the men's duathlon event ©ITU

"It feels awesome," Sheedy-Ryan said.

"I mean obviously coming into this race that was a goal of mine and I knew there were some strong girls out there today.

"But when I went over the course yesterday I saw how hard it was and I thought it would probably help and work to my strengths a little bit.

"I wasn’t relaxed until the last couple of hundred metres because anything can happen, but I am absolutely happy to take home a second title."

Britain’s Richard Allen walked away with the win in the men’s under-23 race in 1:56:08, while silver went to Spain’s Javier Martin Morales in 1:56:47 and bronze to Switzerland’s Adrien Briffod in 1:56:59.

The women’s under-23 podium was made up of the only three competitors who finished the race.

France’s Lucie Picard earned the gold medal in 2:08:10, while silver went to Britain’s Georgina Schwiening in 2:15:22 and bronze to Japan’s Sayu Arizono in 2:21:57.

Action in Penticton is due to conclude on August 27.