There were signs that something big was brewing in Sweden, but few would have predicted that Yokohama’s unerring ability to deliver debut winners would see Tilda Mansson take the tape on Saturday in Japan.

The 22-year-old hit WTCS Yokohama after a solid start in Samarkand, but after a week of preparation in Chiba, fireworks were waiting to go off. After flying out of T2 alongside the defending world champion Lisa Tertsch and Emma Lombardi, Mansson was as fearless as she was fast. After shelling those two running machines, even the appearance of Beth Potter on her shoulder did nothing to rattle her resolve.

Potter dug in to take to the front as they hit the final straight, but the sprint would begin long before the hit the blue carpet. Mansson’s long strides took her a fraction clear, then suddenly there was a window that she went on and smashed through, clutching the tape like an old friend a mere whisker ahead of the Brit, Jeanne Lehair (LUX) with a second bronze in two races. 
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The pace was never really on through the water, Sian Rainsley (GBR) hitting the front on lap one before Kelly Wetteland (USA) and Kanae Takenaka (JPN) pulled through on lap two, but there were waves of women pouring up the ramp into transition together. Lisa Tertsch and Jeanne Lehair were well set, Mansson and Potter only a few seconds behind them, and transition was packed as they negotiated the melée of bikes.

Jess Fullagar was quickly off the front but thought better of trying a solo break, a group of 22 coming together including U23 Richelle Hill on her Series debut. Further back, Nina Eim was pushing on a group of 11 including USA's Gwen Jorgensen and Djenyfer Arnold (BRA). 

Suddenly by lap eight the packs were together and rolled towards T2 and the now-inevitable 10km drama. Once again Yokohama delivered. 

Emma Lombardi was straight on the gas and looking dangerous early on but Lehair and Tertsch pulled alongside, Mansson getting ready to pounce, Potter with work to do after a slow transition. 

The Brit put in some serious effort to join the front early on lap two, Lombardi the first to drop back then Tertsch, leaving three women vying for the medals at the 5km mark. 

As Lehair found herself alone in third, Mansson and Potter locked into battle. The Swede was a picture of calm even as Potter took to the front at the last turn, drawing on countless successful World Cup sprints to gap Potter and hold on to the line, taking the tip with sheer delight. 

Lehair took her second successive bronze ahead of Tertsch, Lombardi in fifth, Diana Isakova, Gwen Jorgensen, Taylor Spivey, Laura Lindemann and Sian Rainsley rounding out the top 10.

Full results here.