China has become something of a home (a long way) from home for Switzerland's Max Studer, and the 29-year old produced a grandstand finish for the fans on Friday morning as he scored a blisteringly fast career-first Series win at WTCS Weihai. 

After plenty of probing from the pack, a bike breakaway with Tjebbe Kaindl finally stuck late into the 40km ride, and it was all the window of opportunity he needed to then take full control early on in the run. Henry Graf (GER) had followed suit with Darr Smith (USA) and was able to follow up his Karlovy Vary gold with an outstanding silver, USA's John Reed scoring his first podium with a brilliant run to hold off Luke Willian (AUS) for bronze. 

'Im still quite emotional, admitted a shell-shocked Studer. 'It hasn't been easy. I want to thank my family and everyone that has ever supported me especially on the tough times. It is unbelievable. Thanks to my coach and team China for their support while Im here. After the European Champs I had lots of doubts if aI can repeat that performance, but to come here and repeat it is just unbelievable. The breakaway at the end worked out, and I knew that to get a little head start and have the transition all to ourselves with no people around would be great. I was even able to extend the lead on the run, so really happy.'

Hungarian firepower in the water

Race number one Henry Graf lined up on the far left of the pontoon and was quickly towards the front of the 2 lap 1500m swim, David Cantero (ESP) starting out next to the German as he began operation hold on to the fastest in the water. 

Hungary's Mark Devay, Luke Willian, Maciej Bruzdziak (POL) and Max Stapley (GBR) were also flying through lap one though and a gap started to open up behind. Down the long run into transition, Marton Kropko (HUN) moved to the front, too, and was onto the bike just off Graf, Takumi Hojo (JPN) also right there, Cantero and teammate Roberto Sanchez way back with Austria's Pertl brothers. 

First Graf and then Tjebbe Kaindl (AUT) were once again straight on the gas as they looked to push the first of eight bike laps, Reed digging in to stay with the front group after looking in danger of drifting out, Saxon Morgan (NZL) and Connor Bentley (GBR) chasing but already 30s back, then another big gap of almost 60s to the Martin Sobey (CAN) and Cantero group. 

Sobey helped haul that gap down slightly but after several attempts it was finally Morgan Pearson and Miguel Tiago Silva (POR) making one work and carving out just over 15 seconds on lap seven before being reeled in.

Kaindl rolls dice, Studer bites

Then, just as they came through the technical section, Kaindl made a big move and Studer, perfectly placed, was the only man able to go with him and go they did. Henry Graf was able to respond along with Darr Smith but the American dropped his bike into transition and it was the German solo chasing Studer and Kaindl out onto the 10km run.

Luke Willian followed them out then Rider, Yoshikawa and and Jack Willis 25s off the lead, further back it was Cantero first out of chasers and on a mission with Sanchez. 

But Studer was straight onto the pace, Graf suddenly finding himself 30s off the Swiss' pace dropping off the pace to join Reed chasing the medals along with Willian as Morgan Pearson was dropped off that group.

At the bell it was clear that Studer had it won but the battle was on for silver 40s back, Graf's patience rewarded as he pulled away from Reed into the safety of silver, Willian just dropping off. 
The Swiss pushed on to take the tape with a mix of disbelief and joy by 20 seconds, clocking a 10km time of 30m12s in the process. A 30m01s from David Cantero saw him run his way to 6th just off Morgan Pearson, Marton Kropko with 7th, a brilliant Joao Batista in 8th, Roberto Sanchez and Darr Smith rounding out the top 10. 

HENRY GRAF:
'I'm having a great momentum, and I am super happy that I put myself in such a great position heading to the Finals. I couldn't be happier. Today I had a great swim, good transition, and then on the bike I tried to push hard from the beginning, but the group was a little to big for my liking, and quite a few people was just sitting on. So I decided to sit back as well and together with Kaindl we tried something on the 5th lap bit it didn’t work out well. But there’s some people that need to learn a bit about race tactics, unfortunately we tried a few times and it didn't work. At the end Max and Kaindl tried in the last lap and it did work out. On the run I struggled a bit behind Max but then John (Reed) came along. I was feeling better lap by lap. I am really happy that I could hold of and finish the race holding off to the second place.'

JOHN REED: 
'It's been a lot of hard work to get me here, I'm really proud of the result today. I knew I had it there, it was just a matter of being patient. 'It is a flat course and I am not a big guy, so I had to fight a bit to get on with the bike group. I finally got in and then took ii from there. I didn’t come out of T2 in a great spot but I knew Luke (Willian) was someone that I wanted to run with so I worked pretty hard the first mile to get back to him. I like to set the pace and control it from there, and then when we caught Morgan I thought 'Oh this is not fun', I mean I love running with Morgan but not in a race, and then Henry made a move on the downhill and I just couldn't hold on to him. But I am really happy with my podium.'

Full results here.