Huggett’s dogged fight-back from an injury-plagued 2011 saw the 21-year-old claim third place in the Elite Men’s event at Kinloch with the fastest run time of the race.

Having started the bike leg 30 seconds from the front, he chased down the lead in a big finish to claim third, just eight seconds behind the winner, Australia’s Aaaron Royle.

“I ended up going really well,” said Huggett. “I just couldn’t chase down the guy in front who was in the break-out in the bikes. I would like to have won it.”

It marked an impressive comeback for the athlete, who was derailed by an injury suffered in a mass crash on the cycle leg of Triathlon de Paris last July.

Forced off the circuit for six months with a broken arm, Huggett knew he would have to bring home a strong Australian campaign to stay in Olympic contention.

“I was a bit worried in November as I also had a lot of trouble with my Achilles,” Huggett said.

But he rallied with a big training block in December, which has set him in good stead for the coming months.

Sunday’s victory means Huggett gains some of the ranking points he needs to reach the top 75 in the world and gain a place at qualifiers in Sydney in March.

It was also a confirmation of his return to form.

“I was really happy with most of the outcomes,” said Huggett. “I was happy I had the fastest run time ... the running leg is the last one so it’s the one that wins the race.”

Huggett spent yesterday in Geelong where he will compete in the Australian National Elite Sprint Distance Championship this Sunday.

He is eyeing a top-five finish in the event, which is an Olympic Distance Selection race.

Huggett’s first major meet for the season will be the 2012 Devonport OTU Triathlon Oceania Championships in early March.