Courtesy: USAT

U.S. elite Barb Lindquist returned to the podium Sunday, finishing second at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup race in Geelong, Australia.

Lindquist (Victor, Idaho), ranked No. 1 in the world and the lone U.S. female competing, was beaten in a sprint finish by Wieke Hoogzaad of the Netherlands, who won in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 58 seconds. Lindquist finished in 2:09:00 and Canada's Carol Montgomery placed third in 2:09:07.

Lindquist is one of the favorites to win the ITU Triathlon World Championships on Dec. 7 in New Zealand. She has finished on the podium in four World Cup races this season, including victories in Edmonton, Canada and Ishigaki, Japan.

The United States had two of its men finish in the top 20 in Geelong, as Brian Fleischmann (Jacksonville, Fla.) placed 13th and Joe Umphenour (Bellevue, Wash.) placed 17th. Australia's Craig Walton won the men's race in 1:55:19. Hamish Carter of New Zealand was second in 1:56:59 and his teammate Bevan Docherty was third in 1:57:27.

In the women's race, Lindquist had a 30-second lead after the swim and maintained it for three laps on the bike. However, a 10- person chase pack caught her and they stayed together for the next five laps.

Lindquist exited the second transition in seventh, but bided her time until she could move up. By the last lap, she had pulled away with Hoogzaad and Montgomery. With 200 meters to go, Hoogzaad broke away for the victory.

More information and complete results are posted at www.triathlon.org.