The third round of the ITU World Triathlon Series is set for the Gold Coast, Australia this weekend. Jonathan Brownlee is back in action having won the previous round in Auckland.
Just two weeks on from winning in Auckland, Brownlee will renew his rivalry with ITU World Champion, Javier Gomez (ESP) and other Series contenders including Mario Mola (ESP) and Richard Murray (RSA).
Brownlee takes the start line on Saturday as the current Series leader. Phil Graves is the only other British athlete competing.
A solid result would put Brownlee in a good position to contend for the ITU world title later in the year. However, it is still early in the season with another six rounds and the World Triathlon Grand Final yet to take place.
Brownlee said: “Auckland was a great race, I really enjoyed it and it was definitely a confidence booster for the rest of the season.”
He added: “It’s a very different course on the Gold Coast, with a flat and fast bike. Every race is different, and if I can get another result here I’ll be very happy.”
Gwen Jorgensen (USA) is the overwhelming favourite in the women’s race and is going for her eighth straight Series win.
Britain’s Lucy Hall and Jess Learmonth will relish the sea swim and the opportunity to get away on the bike as much as possible. Hall was 17th in Auckland, and will want to establish herself in the Series rankings before returning to Leeds to continue with a block of training.
Commonwealth Champion, Jodie Stimpson, had hoped to be fit for the Gold Coast race but has an ongoing Achilles tendon issue.
Olympic Champion, Alistair Brownlee is on track to begin his season at the next round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Cape Town (25-26 April), but former ITU World Champion, Non Stanford, is delaying her return following a chest infection.
TV Viewing
BBC2 will show highlights and exclusive interviews at 1.20pm on Sunday 12 April.
BBC Red Button Live women's race, Saturday 11 April 02:00-04:20, Live men’s race, 05:00-07:15
BBC Red Button Highlights Saturday 11 April 04:20-05:00 & 07:15-09:00
BTSport subscribers can also access coverage.
British Athletes racing at ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast, 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
Men
Jonathan Brownlee, 24, Leeds
Phil Graves, 25, from York, trains Leeds
Women
Lucy Hall, 23, from Lutterworth, trains Leeds
Jess Learmonth, 26, Leeds
