Rotorua triathlete Oliver Shaw has finished on the podium at Xterra Guam just two weeks out from Xterra New Zealand.
Shaw finished third at Xterra Guam on Saturday in the men's professional field.
The young triathlete has already won an Xterra world age-group title and moved up into the men's professional ranks last year.
Illness spoiled his season last year in the Xterra world circuit, also known as off-road triathlon, and he is hoping for a better season in 2014.
He said on his Facebook page he was pleased with Saturday's result.
"Happy to come away with 3rd place and continue building for the other Xterra races coming up ... Xterra Saipan is the next stop," Shaw posted.
Xterra Saipan will be held on Saturday followed by Xterra New Zealand on April 12, which is held during the Xterra Rotorua Festival at Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
Shaw pocketed $1400 for finishing third in Guam, according to the Xterra Guam website.
The Xterra World Championship is the biggest race of the year and is held in Hawaii in October.