Australian Matt Hauser has continued his strong start to the World Triathlon Series, overcoming illness to finish second in Italy.
Hauser, who was seventh at the Paris Olympics, now has a win and two runner-up finishes from the opening three rounds.
Miguel Hidalgo made history as the first Brazilian to win a WTC race, beating Hauser by 28 seconds at Alghero over the 1.5km swim, 40.5km cycle and 10km run course.
Hauser leads Hidalgo overall in the eight-race series, which ends at Wollongong in October.
After leading the ocean swim and joining the nine-rider lead group on the bike, Hauser was no match for Hidalgo's speedy run transition.
The Australian also struggled in the heat and hills on the run course, having been ill after winning the Yokohama round a fortnight ago.
But he was pleased to overtake French triathlete Leo Bergere on the run to claim silver, beating him by 36 seconds, as Hidalgo won in one hour 44 minutes five seconds.
"We always knew it was going to be challenging conditions with the heat, and the hills on the bike; and on the run everything was really challenging especially after battling a bit of sickness after Yokohama," Hauser said.
"I dropped back to third spot (on the run) and then reeled them back in for silver. For a hot minute there I had to stay in my level of hurt.
"I was lucky to finish pretty strong and hold on for silver."
Fellow Paris Olympian Luke Willian returned from injury to finish fourth, while Callum McClusky (17th) and Brandon Copeland (20th) also made the top 20.
Tokyo Olympian Emma Jeffcoat had her first WTS start in three years and finished 24th, while fellow Australian Ellie Hoitink did not finish.
Cassandre Beaugrand of France, the Paris Olympics champion, won in 1:55:55 ahead of Italian Bianca Seregni and Olivia Mathias from Great Britain.
