Triathlon: Gemmell, Hewitt dominate in Takapuna

World-ranked New Zealand triathletes Andrea Hewitt and Kris Gemmell were victorious at the Takapuna round of the national series today.

Hewitt won from a fast-finishing Sam Warriner in a controversial women's race while Gemmell out-sprinted Frenchman Laurent Vidal and rising Aucklander Ryan Sissons.

Mass confusion on the bike-run transition helped Hewitt after she was part of bike group that included Hewitt, Warriner, Lisa Norden of Sweden, South African Kate Roberts, Aucklanders Debbie Tanner and Rebecca Spence and Wellingtonian Kate McIlroy.

Warriner, Norden and Spence ride all rode too far, missing the turnoff to the transition area and having to retrace their steps at least 200m

A furious bike leader Spence confronted officials before exiting the race in disgust while Warriner appeared angry after crossing the finish line.

World No 1 ranked Warriner showed her grit by gathering in most of the field but the short 4.65km run didn't allow enough time to catch Hewitt, with the Christchurch athlete delighted with her first race of the season.

In the men's race, Gemmell and Vidal emerged from the 500m swim with a 20-second lead on the big chase pack and put their heads down to establish a big lead on the bike.

However, despite their best efforts to open up a margin on the bike leg, they couldn't shake the chasing pack.

The bunch closed in right on transition, causing mayhem as some riders pushed too hard into the tight dismount area, leading to a crash which took out a number of contenders.

Sissons set the pace on the run but Gemmell never let him break clear and made his winning move with 500m remaining.