Frodeno break seals win in Japan

Reigning Olympic champion Jan Frodeno of Germany claimed his first major win since Beijing at the World Championship Series triathlon in Yokohama.

And world champ Javier Gomez of Spain closed the gap on Britain's Alistair Brownlee - who missed the race - in the series overall by finishing third.

"I'm happy seeing as I crashed in London only a week ago," said Gomez.

Sweden's Lisa Norden made up for last weekend's defeat in London with victory in Saturday's women's race.

Norden, second in Hyde Park, led a small breakaway in the run from a group of 10, including Brit Liz Blatchford.

She then kicked for home with 400m to go and could win the title overall in Australia next month if series leader Emma Moffatt fails to make the podium.

Men's series leader Brownlee, who has won all four races he has entered, opted to miss this race to focus on the Grand Final on the Gold Coast on 12 September.

"I've lost two sprints this year already and did not want to have it happen again!"

For Gomez to take the series, he would have to finish at least five places ahead of Brownlee in that event.

Frodeno won in Japan after a daring breakaway on the bike and a solid run, while New Zealand's Kris Gemmell came second after outsprinting Gomez, who fell off his bike in Hyde Park last weekend.

"It was an uncomfortable week, the podium is good but it was not a good day for me," said Gomez.

Asked if Brownlee can be caught, the Spaniard said: "You never know what can happen on the day. So I will be ready to give my best."

Australian Moffatt also opted to miss the women's race in Japan, in 40C heat and 100% humidity, leaving Norden to gain revenge over London winner Nicola Spirig, who finished 10th.

"I tried to put a couple to surges in the last lap not to leave thins down to the final. But the girls came with me," said Norden.

"I've lost two sprints this year already and did not want to have it happen again."

ITU World Championship Series rankings

Men:

1st Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 3,200 pts

2nd Javier Gomez (ESP) 2,849

3rd Kris Gemmell (NZL) 2,559

4th Maik Petzold (GER) 2,493

5th Laurent Vidal (FRA) 2,404

Selected others:

15th Will Clarke (GBR) 1,457

18th Tim Don (GBR) 1,244

Full men's series rankings

Women:

1st Emma Moffatt (AUS) 3,140 pts

2nd Lisa Norden (SWE) 3,020

3rd Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2,766

4th Daniela Ryf (SUI) 2,374

5th Sarah Haskins (USA) 2,189

Selected others:

6th Helen Jenkins (GBR) 2,146

21st Liz Blatchford (GBR) 1,327

39th Jodie Swallow (GBR) 763

Full women's series rankings

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