Stimpson continued a fine breakthrough season, which has already seen her claim the silver medal in the ITU World Championship Series after she placed second behind teammate and world champion Non Stanford at London's Grand Final last month.

In Stanford's absence on this occasion Stimpson was simply too strong for the rest as she kicked away from the pack on the first lap of the 10 kilometres running section and sailed to victory in 2 hours 2min 39sec.

"When I noticed I was alone, I tried to concentrate and do it as well as I could," she said, as she ensured her second World Cup title after triumphing in Guatape in 2012.

Nearly a minute behind in second place was Alice Betto of Italy, who finished tenth in the World Triathlon Series earlier in 2013, while Rachel Klamer of the Netherlands hung on for bronze.

The men's race meanwhile was won by Switzerland's Sven Riederer in his first ever World Cup victory after a series of near misses.

Sven Riederer wallows in the traditional finishing straight celebrations after winning his first ever World Cup event in Alicante


The 31-year-old won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and, fresh from a top 10 finish in the World Triathlon Series, has shown good form throughout this season.

On this occasion he took advantage of the absence of Spain's world champion Javier Gomez, as well as Britain's Brownlee brothers.

After the leaders at the end of the bike section were quickly closed in on the run, a lead pack of 11 was reduced to six by the midway point when Riederer made his move.

In comparison with the women's race the contest remained close as Riederer eventually won by a mere two seconds from Vicente Hernandez of Spain - with Britain's Grant Sheldon a further two seconds behind in third.

After taking a first victory amid six podium finishes in the last decade he unsurprisingly described being "really happy" and that it is "unbelievable to finish the season with a victory".

The World Cup season is due continue, however, with the next event to be held next Sunday (October 6) at Cozumel in Mexico.