Six-time European champion Pavel Andreev of Russia lost his title to compatriot Dmitriy Bregeda at the ETU Winter Triathlon European Championships ©World Triathlon

Six-time winner Pavel Andreev of Russia lost his title to compatriot Dmitriy Bregeda in the men's race at the European Triathlon Union (ETU) Winter Triathlon European Championships in Cheile Grădiştei.

Bregeda won the men's race at the Romanian resort in a total time of 1 hour 1min 55sec.

Italy's Giuseppe Lamastra finished in second place in 1:02:38 while another Russian, Pavel Yakimov, came third in 1:03:02.

Andreev could only finish in fourth place, recording a time of 1:03:58 to do so. 

The women's title went to Russia's Daria Rogozina with the winning time of 1:10:14.

The ETU Winter Triathlon European Championships are taking place in Cheile Grădiştei ©World Triathlon
The ETU Winter Triathlon European Championships are taking place in Cheile Grădiştei ©World Triathlon

She also triumphed at the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships in Asiago earlier this month.

In second was her compatriot and greatest rival Yulia Surikova in 1:12:04.

Svetlana Sokolova made up the all-Russian podium, finishing third in 1:12:21. 

The venue for the event is located above Dracula's castle.

Athletes competed in a 7.5 kilometres run before a 13.25km mountain bike leg and a 10km cross-country ski.

The competition will continue tomorrow in Cheile Grădiştei with the 2x2 mixed relay event.