Pujades ran away with victory in the men’s race, finishing in 50min 19sec after seeing off the challenge of Japan’s Takumi Hojo and Italian duo Nicola Azzano and Alessio Crociani.

Crociani was the first man out of the swim and into the bike leg as he formed part of a 10-man breakaway group.

They established a lead of one-minute as they entered the final transition of the day.

Hojo looked to forge ahead with Pujades and Azzano on the hunt in the five kilometre four-lapped run segment.

At the halfway point of the run Purjades surged out in front with Hojo attempting to grip but the Frenchman proved too strong.

"It was a crazy good finish for me and am so happy to do it," said Purjades.

"It’s been a while for me since I have raced in ITU (World Triathlon) races so yes, such a happy man now.

"It was a really nice race, I enjoyed it a lot, so when is the next one now.

"Most of the strategy was to save as much energy as I could until the run and then I tried to build my run, because it was four laps so it was quite easy to build it.

"It was quite hard with the quarantine here but such a happy crew and everything was done well so that we could race, just thankful."

Hojo finished in 50:25 to earn his first World Triathlon Cup silver, while Azzano crossed in 50:32 to bag bronze as fellow Italian Crociani missed out on a medal by just four seconds.

There was a British one-two in the women’s race with Potter sweeping aside compatriot Kate Waugh with an impressive winning time of 56:25.

Race favourites Zsanett Bragmayer of Hungary, Potter and Waugh were the first women in the first transition to commence the 20km five-lapped bike course.

The trio moved 30 seconds ahead of the chasing group as they arrived at the final transition.

Potter had an issue with her shoe which lost her time as Bragmayer and Waugh were the first to enter the 5km foot race in Busan.

But Potter reeled in Bragmayer and Waugh before taking the lead.

Bragmayer tired as Waugh looked to challenge for top spot but Potter extended her lead in the final few hundred metres and claimed victory.

"It wasn’t quite perfect out there," said Potter.

"I lost my shoe in transition so I had a bit of work to do on the run but I was able to get back and I am happy with the performance."

Waugh had to settle for silver in 56:40, while Bragmayer secured bronze in 56:58.

Another South Korean venue, Tongyeong, is set to stage the next stage of the World Triathlon Cup on October 30 and 31.