Spanish mountain biking champion Ruben Ruzafa edged Austria's Michael Wiess by 34 seconds to win the Xterra World Championship today on Maui.

The 24-year-old finished the grueling 28-mile swimming, mountain biking and trail running competition in 2 hours, 37 minutes, 36 seconds.

Ruzafa, competing in Maui for the first time, emerged from the swim two minutes behind leaders Franky Batelier of France and defending champion Conrad Stoltz of South Africa.

But he passed them by about mile 13 of the bike portion.

Julie Dibens of England won the women's race in 3:03:57. Dibens finished a full minute ahead of runner-up Danelle Kabush of Canada after taking the lead from the start of the swim.