Helen Jenkins, the reigning World Champion rode to a podium finish this weekend in her first race of the 2012 season at the ITU World Triathlon Series first round in Sydney, Australia.

Jenkins, who has been training in Australia ahead of the race season finished second behind Australian Erin Densham (also sponsored by Giant) and ahead of New Zealand's Andrea Hewitt.

Writing in here Giant Athlete Blog before the event she spoke about her focus of London 2012, with World Series races being used to form the backbone of her race preparation for the Olympics;

"The World Champs Series is not a focus for me this year, my goal is the Olympic games triathlon in August, but the best preparation for me is to race the best triathletes in the world in the most competitive fields."

After finishing second in the first race of 2012 on the World stage she said;

"Normally it takes me a few races to warm up, so to come out and get a podium performance is brilliant."

Helen Jenkins next race is in San Diego.