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

Izzard led off the British team emerging from the 300m swim in 12th before moving into the lead pack on the bike and finishing his leg in sixth. 

The 25-year-old handed over to Beth Potter, Max Stapley and Jessica Fullagar with the British team finishing in second, 23 seconds down from winners France. 

“I didn’t expect this this morning,” Izzard said. “But, we all just put everything together perfectly, no penalties, clean race. 

“Everyone attacked the race like they had planned in their heads. Before the race, they knew they were going to do something and they just did it. 

“It was really cool to lead the side out. I just had to do a really fast triathlon because I was starting the race like normal. 

“But it is really nice to be able to get the guys in a good position and handover just behind the French guys.” 

After a bunched exit from the swim, Izzard powered out of the first transition to join the five triathletes in the lead pack on the 7.7km bike. 

The pack were eventually caught on the second lap to see the top 15 athletes enter the final transition together with Izzard in the top 10. 

A strong transition onto the 1.7km run saw the Derby triathlete sitting on the shoulder of Norway’s Vetle Bergsvik Thorn. 

Izzard briefly took the front but after a lung-busting effort, he finished his leg in sixth handing off to the experienced Beth Potter. 

Potter moved Britain into first before youngsters Max Stapley and Jess Fullagar put in tactically-astute legs to see their side claim silver in front of a loud home crowd. 

It was another great day for Izzard after finishing eighth in the men’s race on Saturday for his highest-ever finish at a World Triathlon Championship Series event. 

He added: “It gives me confidence for my next race. I had a little bit of a lull where I was struggling with being a big fatigued and things like that. 

“So to come out with an eighth yesterday and then a second today, it is just really good for the confidence.” 

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/