RIO Olympic medallist Vicky Holland stormed to the world triathlon title on Saturday (September 15) with a gritty performance on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Second place in the race was enough to secure the world series crown for the Newent star.

And the 32-year-old, who took silver in April’s Commonwealth Games in the team relay, said: “I can’t actually believe it. This season as a whole has been absolutely incredible - three wins, two seconds and a world title. It’s so much more than I thought I would get out of this year.”

She even considered retirement after winning bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics but found the “extra motivation” that has now carried her to her first world crown.

“This season for me had always been about the Commonwealth Games.

“Things have just fallen into place and I’ve just really enjoyed my racing,” she said.