Bryce McMaster and Sarissa De Vries were breakthrough winners as they crossed the line in Geneva in the last ITU European Cup before the Olympic Games.

It was a watershed moment for both athletes. For McMaster, the win was his first in ITU competition and his first podium in a European event.

For Dutch athlete De Vries, it was her first ever ITU podium and her first career victory at this level. And she couldn’t hide her delight, telling her followers on twitter: “Always wondered what it would feel like to break (sic) the tape and hear the national (sic) anthem play for you. Now I know!”

In the Elite Men’s race, New Zealand born McMaster finished ahead of Raoul Shaw (FRA) in what was also the Frenchman’s first ever podium and career best performance to date.

Ukrainian Danylo Sapunov will be thrilled to finish in third place and will now head to London and the Olympics in confident mood and in good form.

In the Women’s race De Vries blitzed the field, finishing almost one minute and a half ahead of Anne Tabarant (FRA).

But arguably the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Swiss athlete Celine Schaerer, who claimed third place on home turf.

Schaerer has battled against injury and loss of form in 2012 but she will delighted with her performance here, eclipsing her fourth place a year ago in this same competition.