Max Stapley helped a new-look Great Britain to a surprise mixed relay silver at the World Triathlon Championships Series in Sunderland. 

Stapley took on the third leg of the relay with Britain lying in first after Barclay Izzard and Beth Potter had put Britain in the hunt for the podium. 

The 23-year-old handed over to Jessica Fullagar who brought the British team home in second, 23 seconds down from winners France. 

“I was stood in the athletes' mixed zone waiting for Beth and she was in first so I had no option but to just go for it,” Stapley said. 

“And I went for it right from the gun. In the water, I just didn’t look back on the foot. On the hill, I had good power and I was just like ‘I’m going to go for it’. 

“I went for it, I said I would do that, and I did and it paid off big time. It just felt brilliant to do that for the team and in front of the home crowd, that really pushed us on today.” 

Stapley had been given a one-second advantage over Switzerland from Potter and extended that lead on the swim. 

The Leeds-based athlete moved further ahead on the bike, at one point opening up a 10-second gap before being reined in by New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde. 

Wilde overtook Stapley on the run with the Briton staying just in touch of the Commonwealth silver medallist, ending his leg six seconds behind in sixth place. 

He handed over to Fullagar, who won the Super Series event yesterday, and stayed with the other leaders France and New Zealand into the run before Cassandre Beaugrand pulled away as Fullagar held off a late challenge from Norway for silver. 

The podium place capped off a fine weekend for Stapley who also raced in the individual event on Saturday, coming home in 31st place in front of a home crowd. 

He added: “It’s my first mixed relay in about six years so I was very nervous, but once it is on, it is on. 

“I know all these guys, I race them week in, week out and I just looked to my left and looked to my right and said ‘You’re not better than me,’ and just went for it. 

“The crowd was erupting every time I went round a corner, I could just hear my name being called and it just pushes you on. 

“I just powered down and thought of all the things that could give me that extra couple of seconds. 

“It feels good to be where I think I am in terms of physical level against these guys.” 

AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland welcomed some of the best triathletes from around the world as well as home favourites representing Great Britain over 29-30 July. British triathletes will be racing in Paris during August 2023 in preparation for next year’s Olympic Games. You can follow British triathletes on their journey to Paris 2024 and find out more about opportunities to get involved in swim, bike, run at https://www.britishtriathlon.org/