GOLD COAST: Spain’s Mario Mola clinched his third straight World Triathlon Series men’s title after finishing second in the final race on the Gold Coast in Australia on Sunday. Frenchman Vincent Luis won the race in 1:44:34, 14 seconds ahead of Mola, while South Africa’s Richard Murray finished third. “It has been a great season and finishing with a second place behind my training partner – it was a great race,” Mola said. “I’ll try to make it four in a row next year and it’s in my hands to come back next year and be better.” Mola, who won the junior world title on the Gold Coast nine years ago, joined compatriot Javier Gomez as the only men to have won three consecutive world titles. The 28-year-old finished with 6,081 points in the overall standings, 1,021 clear of second-placed Luis. Australian Jake Birtwhistle was third with 4,884, followed by Murray with 4,792. Twice Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee was handed a 15-second penalty for failing to go around a buoy during the swimming. The penalty was then upgraded to a disqualification and the Briton opted against an appeal, despite continuing with his race. Published in Daily Times, September 17th 2018.