Triathlon: Frenchman wins Tri Series race in Canterbury

French Triathlete Aurelien Lebrun wins the Christchurch round of the Contact Triathlon Series. Photo / Supplied

Frenchman Aurelien Lebrun has won the latest round of the Contact Tri Series at Pegasus near Christchurch, today.

Lebrun, in New Zealand preparing for the World Cup season in Europe, beat Cantabrians Mike Phillips and Bryan Rhodes in the sprint distance race.

"I am here to train in New Zealand with the good weather for a few months while it is not so good at home in France. I am training here with Laurent [Vidal] and Andrea [Hewitt] and the conditions are very good," Lebrun said.

"Today for me was about the run, the bike I am not used to the non-drafting racing and as you could see the bike was not my strength today but I am feeling good on the run. I have some more speed to get into my legs with some more training but I enjoy this course and am very happy to come home with the win."

Rhodes had led off the bike, using his Ironman strength to move from fourth into first at the end of the first lap of four but knew he was never going to hold on over such a short distance.

"I am a diesel compared to these guys, I can go at a good pace for a long time but don't have the leg speed of Lebrun.

"That was a good tune-up though for Challenge Wanaka next week."

In the women's race it was 19-year-old local Laura Wood who began her first summer in the Under-23 ranks in style, winning her first Contact Series race.

Results:

Elite Men

1 Aurelien Lebrun, France, 57:55

2 Mike Phillips, Fendalton, 58:27

3 Bryan Rhodes, Christchurch, 58:36

4 Hamish Hammond, Greytown, 58:37

5 Andrew Black, Christchurch, 1:01:01

Elite Women

1 Laura Wood, Christchurch, 1:07:54

2 Jaye Atkin, Rangiora, 1:09:25

3 Laura Steffens, Christchurch, 1:10:04

4 Kate Myers, Christchurch, 1:11:13

5 Leonie Kaywood, Christchurch, 1:11:17