Triathlon: Carter wins in Chicago

One year after his Olympic triumph, Hamish Carter has returned to winning form in one of the world's biggest triathlons in Chicago today.

The Olympic champion surged clear of world No 1 Hunter Kemper and fellow New Zealand world champion Bevan Docherty late in the run to win in one hour 49 minutes 55 seconds.

The Chicago Triathlon, which attracts 8000 participants, comes a year and two days since Carter and Docherty claimed gold and silver in Athens.

Defending champion Craig Alexander of Australia, who won the prestigious Lifetime Fitness Triathlon earlier in the season, was dropped early in the run through downtown Chicago as Carter, Kemper and Docherty reeled in leader Andy Potts.

Carter surged at the 7km mark to open up the winning gap, holding off Kemper and Docherty.

Both New Zealanders were pleased with their form going into the world championships in Gamagori, Japan on September 10-11.

"It's 12 months and two days since the Athens race and it's a great feeling to know that you can win again," Carter said.

"I wanted to come back to win a big race. Don't get me wrong, I really want to win the worlds in two weeks too.

"After a big high like the Olympics it's been quite hard to mentally get back on track.

"So it's really neat to win again, especially such a big race like this. And to know that I'm in top shape now for the worlds."

American Andy Potts, a former Olympic swimmer, cleared out in the 1500m swim and stayed clear, riding solo on the flat 40km bike on the Chicago freeway.

"It was a flat bike on a four-lane freeway along the waterfront and we worked well in a loose cover with quite a big group," Carter said.

The one-loop 10km run took in many of the downtown Chicago landmarks saw the favoured trio of Carter, Kemper and Docherty push clear before the Olympic champion made his move.

"Bevan also looked really good so we are both back in the same sort of shape that we were going into Athens which is good for our chances in Japan."

Carter heads back to his base in Victoria, Canada, tomorrow, while Docherty returns to his US base in Boulder, Colorado, before heading to Japan next week.

Results (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run):-

Men: Hamish Carter (New Zealand) 1:49.55 1, Hunter Kemper (US) 1:49.59 2, Bevan Docherty (NZ) 1:50.14 3, Craig Alexander (Australia) 1:50.29 4, Andy Potts (US) 1:50.38 5.

- NZPA