Hauser's blistering swim, Games selection out of his hands

A BLISTERING swim set up Matthew Hauser's successful World Triathlon Series race in Hamburg on Sunday night (AEST), though his Commonwealth Games hopes now lie solely in the hands of Australian selectors.

The Hervey bay product shot past the world's premier triathletes like a torpedo during the chaotic swim leg, leading by as much as 13 seconds at the first transition.

He was quickly caught and slipped back through the pack during the bike leg, but a sensational run, unsurprisingly his best leg, saw the Gold Coast-based athlete finish 20th.

While Hauser would be happy to be the second Australian home, he missed out on the second automatic Commonwealth Games place. The selection was available for a top-10 place- getter in Hamburg.

Tasmania's Jake Birtwhistle finished second behind Spaniard Mario Mola, who became the first man to win back-to-back WTS Hamburg events. Hauser was one minute behind Mola, but beat fellow Australians Aaron Royle (25th), Luke Willian (30th) and Ryan Bailie (42nd).

It has been a strong year for Hauser, who started the year with his fourth Oceania junior championship.

He finished 18th at the WTS Gold Coast on April 8, then won Chengdu ITU World Cup elite men's final on May 6.

Hauser will compete in the mixed relay finals from 10.50pm on Sunday (AEST).