US Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen is a winner again, this time on a NASCAR track

US Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen has claimed her first win of the 2025 season, on a NASCAR track.

The 38-year-old superstar, who won gold at the Rio Games of 2016, ran out a thrilling victor in the Americas Triathlon Cup at the Homestead Miami Speedway on Friday.

Gwen, who had started her year with a disappointing 29th at WTCS Abu Dhabi last month, roared back to the podium here by coming home four seconds ahead of Mexico’s Marcela Alvarez Solis following a terrific showdown at the iconic Florida venue.

Jorgensen runs to Homestead glory

Jorgensen was seventh out of the water after the 750m swim over the sprint distance, just 12 seconds behind fellow US star and leader Gina Sereno. Sophia Howell of Canada was close behind Sereno in second with Julia Visgueiro of Brazil in third.

Onto the 20m bike leg, which comprised four laps of the track, and pretty soon we had an enormous front pack of riders all keeping pace with each other. As they approached T2 that pack numbered well over 30 athletes and it was all to play for, would Gwen’s famed run prowess be good enough to take the win? We were about to find out.

It did not take Jorgensen long to make her way to the front of the field early on the 5km run, but she was never able to fully drop the game Alvarez Solis. She made sure Gwen had to fight all the way to the line for that four-second margin of victory. Another American star Danielle Orie claimed the final spot on the podium, a further 10 seconds back.

Vannerson claims Miami glory

While Jorgensen was leading the elite women home, another US star in the shape of Reese Vannerson was doing the same for the men. The exciting young prospect was an impressive winner, taking the tape some 18 seconds ahead of French star Igor Dupuis. Darr Smith (USA) took the final spot on the podium with compatriot Seth Rider fourth.