Stefan Daniel’s quest for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics began on a strong note, capturing the World Para Triathlon Series in front of a home crowd on Friday in Montreal, Canada.

The third World Series of 2019 marked the first opportunity for athletes to secure Paralympic qualification points, and the Rio 2016 silver medallist got his campaign off to the perfect start in the men’s PTS5.

Great Britain’s George Peasgood was quickest in the swim and on the bike. But triple world champion Daniel completed the 5km run more than a minute quicker than Germany’s Paralympic champion Martin Schulz.

Schulz produced a strong enough run to finish second with Peasgood next to cross the line.

Seely shines

The USA’s Allysa Seely secured a seventh successive World Para Triathlon Series win in the women’s PTS2. The Paralympic champion’s signature run speed again proved decisive, passing her compatriot Hailey Danz for success by eight seconds.

Bronze went to Finland’s Liisa Lilja, who finished more than a minute behind Danz.

The men’s PTWC podium was a repeat of the top-three from Rio 2016, featuring Dutch duo of Jetze Plat and Geert Schipper again leading the way.

Plat was quickest in all three disciplines, finishing over two minutes ahead of Schipper. Italy’s Giovanni Achenza claimed bronze.

In the women’s equivalent, Australia’s world champion Emily Tapp was victorious. Second place was a sprint finish, with Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida edging Great Britain’s Jade Jones-Hall by a second.

France’s Alexis Hanquinquant completed a hat-trick of World Series wins this season, following up his victories in Milan, Italy, and Yokohama, Japan, with another in the men’s PTS4.

The battle behind was closer with only two minutes, 20 seconds separating the other nine competitors. Spain’s Alejandro Sanchez Palomero secured silver, while bronze went to the USA’s Jamie Brown.

Brilliant Brits

There was a British one-two in the women’s PTS5 as Claire Cashmore ousted her compatriot and reigning world champion Lauren Steadman in a thrilling battle between the pair.

Cashmore crossed the line nine seconds ahead of Steadman, who was competing in her first international race of 2019. The USA’s Paralympic champion Grace Norman finished third.

Great Britain’s Dave Ellis returned to winning ways in the men’s PTVI after silver in Milan. The Spanish duo of Hector Catala Laparra and Jose Luis Garcia Serrano finished two-three respectively.

Hannah Moore impressed in the women’s PTS4, securing Great Britain’s third gold. The USA’s Kelly Elmlinger was three minutes behind Moore, with Japan’s Mami Tani in third.

Spanish success

Victory in the women’s PTVI went to Spain’s Susana Rodriguez, who finished comfortably ahead of Canada’s Jessica Tuomela. Great Britain’s Alison Peasgood was third.

There was double delight for Spain with PTS3 world champion Daniel Molina claiming gold in his first international triathlon since last year’s World Championships. Silver went to the Netherlands’ Nico Van Der Burgt and bronze to France’s Michael Herter .

France’s Jules Ribstein secured his second World Series title of 2019 in the men’s PTS2. Ribstein finished two-and-a-half minutes ahead of Spain’s Lionel Morales and Dutchman Maurits Morsink.

Russia’s Anna Plotnikova was the sole competitor in the women’s PTS3.

Full results from the Montreal World Triathlon Series can be found on the International Triathlon Union’s website.