London 2012 Olympian Vicky Holland admitted she could have hardly asked for more after winning the first round of the 2013 British Triathlon Super Series at Blenheim Palace.
The 27-year-old, who finished 26th at London 2012 last summer, clocked a time of 1:06:58hours to win by just eight seconds ahead of track and field convert Emma Pallant.
Holland and Pallant along with Gillian Sanders, who represented South Africa at London 2012, were part of a large chase group on the bike with Natalie Milne and Jess Learmonth setting the pace.
They were caught and overtaken on the run however with Holland and Pallant breaking away on lap two and the former coming from behind to beat her rival on the finishing straight.
Tom Bishop proved his fitness in his first race of 2013 by winning the men’s event in 1:00:21 with Holland revelling in her victory at Blenheim Palace.
She said: “It was a great feeling to be back on form racing again. I wanted to race Blenheim as it’s such an iconic UK race, it’s super challenging and, with a great setting, what more can you ask for?”
© Sportsbeat 2013