Oliver Marceau and Renata Bucher made history as the winners of the first ever ETU TNatura Cross Triathlon race.

On a beautiful day in Orosei, three time Olympian Marceau, who races for Switzerland, made a strong start in the water as he battled against Italian duo Leonardo Bellerini and Fabrizio Ballara.

On the second bike lap, Marceau made his break and after leaving his rivals trailing in T2 his victory was secure. This was his 4th victory at Orosei.

Bellerini finished second but young Austrian Michael Szymoniuk pipped Ballara onto the podium.

In the Women’s Elite race, Kathrin Muller was simply extraordinary in the water. Unfortunately, the German couldn’t maintain her pace on the mountain bike and she was eventually caught and passed by Bucher.

Bucher and Muller battled together as they began the final 10km run but eventually it was the Swiss Champion Bucher who took the win.

Muller was second, some four minutes behind and Austrian Carina Wasle completed the podium.

Renato Bertrandi, President of the ETU, said: 'The event of cross triathlon today in Orosei has been a real success in terms of audience, organisation and number of participants.

“The organisational professionalism of the Island Group ensured the success of the first edition of the circuit ETU TNatura, which officially begins in Italy and Europe in 2014.

“The circuit ETU TNatura is evidence that the number of cross triathlon enthusiasts in Europe is increasing more and more.”

For more information on the ETU TNatura race, results and pictures, please visit www.tnaturaevents.com