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Sprint finishes seal Britain’s best ever World Triathlon Series results

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Jonathan Brownlee came out on top at the ITU World Triathlon Hamburg following a stunning sprint finish against his older brother, Alistair. Non Stanford and Jodie Stimpson also achieved podium finishes in the women’s race to make it arguably the most successful ever performance at a World Triathlon Series event as British athletes won four of the six medals available.

The greatly anticipated clash between the three men’s Olympic medallists lived up to its billing over the sprint distance event. Alistair won the epic previous round in Kitzbühel (6 July) but has missed training due ankle injury sustained earlier in the year. Jonathan missed Kitzbühel with a stomach bug but favours the shorter races, and Gomez is a previous winner in Hamburg and capable of matching the brothers on any course.

After a typically fast swim, the race really got underway on the bike with a group of eleven escapees reduced to nine but the torrid pace set by Alistair, Jonathan and Gomez. By the start of the run it was clear that the race would be decided between these three and although Henri Schoeman (RSA) briefly ran with them, it was Jonathan that led for most of the race.

As the 5km run progressed Gomez dropped off and at the finishing straight an exciting sprint finish unfolded with Alistair making the first break for home only to be outsprinted by his younger brother.

Jonathan said: “I knew I had to give it all to the last of it. Alistair doesn't like to run behind people, he likes to run in front. We got to the last bit and he came past me and I was feeling quite comfortable and I couldn't remember if we were finishing on the right hand side or the left hand side but it was good.”

Alistair added: “What a great race. To be honest, the aim of today for me was to be in the hunt to win the race and I was more than happy to be there on that last corner. I think I went a bit too early but Jonny is a clever old sod and he kept a bit back.”

The women’s race saw Germany employ team tactics to help secure a home win for Series leader, Anna Haug. Svenja Bazlen (GER) pushed the pace on the bike on behalf of Haug, who had to recover a 40 second deficit after the swim. The 30 year old was quickly back into the race and riding at the front with Britain’s Jodie Stimpson and Non Stanford.

 

The British pair matched Haug on the run until the later stages when she kicked for home. Stanford out sprinted Stimpson for second, but both were delighted with another podium finish at the highest level.

Stanford said: “The Germans were pushing the pace the whole way. I went out hard on the run and when Annie went I tried to go with her but she was just phenomenal. I’m really pleased with that today.”

Jodie, who trains with Haug, added: “I knew the race would be on form the word go and it didn’t disappoint. It was quite tactical, I knew the pace had to be kept on to hold Annie at bay but it eased off too much at parts and she gave her usual kick.”

Britain has never had four athletes on a World Triathlon Series podium at the same event before, and there is the opportunity to add more success tomorrow in the Mixed Team Relay World Championship event where two men and two women compete together in relay format over the super sprint distance. Great Britain has won the ITU world title for the last two year.

The mixed relay event will be televised by the BBC on the Red Button at 2pm (UK time). Live footage is also available internationally via triathlonlive.tv. There will be televised highlights of the individual and relay events on BBC2 on Monday 22nd July from 2.30-4.30pm.

Results Men

1. Jonathan Brownlee, GBR, 51:05
2. Alistair Brownlee, GBR, 51:05
3. Javier Gomez, ESP, 51:14
33. Adam Bowden, GBR, 53:23
38. David Mcnamee, GBR, 53:34
55. Matthew Sharp, GBR, 54:15

Results Women:

1. Anne Haug, GER, 57:21
2. Non Stanford, GBR, 57:35
3. Jodie Stimpson, GBR, 57:36
19. Vicky Holland, GBR, 58:44
28. Vanessa Raw, GBR, 59:00
40. Katie Hewison, GBR, 59:42

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