Alistair Brownlee makes it a golden double for GB as brother Jonathan takes bronze

Created On: 07 August 2011

Alistair Brownlee made it a golden double for Great Britain, following Helen Jenkins' victory yesterday by winning today's men's elite race at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London, presented by Tata Steel.

And there was further celebration for the British team as Alistair's younger brother Jonathan produced a strong finish to collect bronze, outpacing Spain's reigning World Champion Javier Gomez to secure third.

Russia's Alexander Bryukhankov produced a brave run to hang on to second place.

Alistair Brownlee was part of a pack of four featuring Russia's Bryukhankov, James Elvery of New Zealand and Spain's Ivan Rana that broke away during the ride.

But, in torrential rain, Brownlee made the decisive break in the run, setting a pace that the other couldn't match to take gold - a victory that saw him climb from seventh to second behind Gomez in the ITU World Championship rankings.

"To be honest I couldn't believe I got away on the bike," he said afterwards. "I was worried I would be attacked on the bike."

He said he was pleased his brother Jonathan joined him on the podium and that he enjoyed the support of the crowd.

"The big goal was to make sure we both got on the podium, and we did," he said. "It's one of the best receptions I've ever had. It was a great experience."

Asked whether today's performance was the best of his life, he said: "I hope not. I hope I'm going to be better next year."

Jonathan Brownlee had to fight off a challenge from last year's winner, Javier Gomez (ESP) to take bronze.

"I'm really pleased, but absolutely shattered," he said. "I wanted to come in the top three and I've done that.

"When I got off the bike I knew first and second places had gone, but everyone was racing for third. It was a really hard race and Javier kept pushing me to the end."

Gomez said he was pleased with his fourth place, but hopes to finish higher at next year's Olympics.

"I'm happy with my fourth place, but I hope to do better next year," he said. "It was great to race on the proposed Olympic course."

Reigning Olympic champion Jan Frodeno (GER) came 11th. "I was really happy considering I struggle in this kind of weather and I've qualified for the Olympics," he said. "The course was amazing and well worthy of the Olympics."

Will Clarke was the third of the Brits, finishing 14th. "I didn't quite get it right today, but I was the third Brit, which is nice," he said. "I felt as though I needed another gear today. It's good to be the third Brit and I hope the selectors noticed that."

France's Aurelien Raphael made a strong start in the swim and led the field at the first turning buoy, before being overtaken by Frodeno as the pair both tried to stretch out the field. Frodeno was joined by Gomez by the 1000m mark of the race.

The pair were first out of the Serpentine, with Gomez leading the way in 18 minutes and six seconds, closely followed by Frodeno. Both of the Brownlees were in the top-10, with Alistair sixth and Jonathan 10th as the athletes set off on the first of seven cycling laps.

Alistair and Jonathan took no time in taking on the lead in the bike and by halfway through the first lap a pack of 22 had broken away from the rest of the field.

Midway through the second lap New Zealand's James Elvery made a break away, but was joined by Alistair Brownlee and then Russia's Brukhankov as the leaders opened up a gap at the front of the race.

By the time they completed lap two they had already opened up a 13-second lead over the chasing pack, which was led by Tim Don and the younger Brownlee. Spain's Ivan Rana worked had to close the gap and turn the leading group from a trio into a quartet towards the end of lap three - the chasing pack were 13 seconds back going into the fourth lap as the rain started to pour down.

The front four doubled their lead to 26 seconds by the start of lap five, a lap that saw Russia's Ivan Vasiliev make a determined but ultimately unsuccessful effort to try close the gap between the chasing pack and join the front group.

He was still alone, 24 seconds off the front four at the end of the lap, with the chasing group another 20 seconds back. The Russian was 42 seconds off the leaders going into the final lap of the ride, with Britain's Stuart Hayes eight seconds further back in sixth having opened up a six-second lead from the main pack.

There was a torrential downpour on the last lap of the ride. Alistair Brownlee was first off his bike into the final transition, with the leading four now just over a minute clear of the pack.

The elder Brownlee made a decisive break as the weather worsened, opening up an immediate lead from Bryukhankov on the run as Elvery and Rana dropped off the front pack. He stretched the lead to 11 seconds at the end of the first lap of the run, with Rana still third as the rest of the pack gobbled up Elvery.

Jonathan Browntree led the chase on Rana, hotly pursued by Gomez. The pair overhauled Rana approaching the halfway mark of the run.

The elder Brownlee looked relaxed and in total command of the race - and he went on to ease off at the finish as he crossed the line 25 seconds clear of the Russian.

Meanwhile Jonathan completed an impressive day for the Brownlee family as he edged clear of Gomez to land the bronze.

Men's results
Gold: Alistair Brownlee (GBR) - 1:50.09
Silver: Alexander Bryukhankov (RUS) - 1:50.34
Bronze: Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) - 1:51.04

Current World Championship standings
1: Javier Gomez (ESP) - 2660 pts
2: Alistair Brownlee (GBR) - 2490 pts
3: Alexander Bryukhankov (RUS) - 2403 pts

Tags: news,new,alistair brownlee,london2012

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