Beaugrand extends winning streak to four in Weihai, Potter takes second

Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand continued her dominant form in the World Triathlon Championship Series, winning the Weihai, China leg to make it four straight victories this season.

Beaugrand pulled away during the final kilometre of the 10km run, crossing the line in 1:49.20. Olympic bronze medallist Beth Potter of Britain finished second, six seconds behind, after pushing the pace throughout a tightly contested run. Germany's Lisa Tertsch took third place, a further 18 seconds back.

A hard-fought finish

Speaking after the race, the 29-year-old Beaugrand admitted the win had not come easily. She said she felt strong through the swim and bike legs, but the run proved difficult as Potter kept the pace high, forcing her to rely on her finishing speed. Beaugrand had exited the two-lap 1500m swim in third place, behind Britain's Tilly Anema and Brazil's Vittoria Lopez. During the bike leg, a large pack of more than 30 riders came together at the front, but on the run Beaugrand, Potter and Tertsch broke clear of the field. In the final lap, Tertsch began to fade while Potter fought hard to stay with Beaugrand but ultimately could not match her closing pace.

In the men's race, Switzerland's Max Studer took the win in 1:41:08. Spain's David Cantero del Campo finished second, 10 seconds back, while Canada's Tyler Mislawchuk placed third, a further seven seconds behind.

One regular-season event remains, scheduled for 13 September in the Czech Republic, before the season concludes with the Grand Final in Spain on 23 September.