Alistair Brownlee’s bid to win back the world triathlon crown has been hit by an ankle injury that is forcing him to miss a World Series event in Madrid.
The Olympic and double world champion has raced just once so far this season, when he claimed victory in San Diego.
But Brownlee will not be able to add to that in Spain this weekend meaning he will not be able to close the gap on leader Joao Silva who is more than 1,000 points ahead.
The 25-year-old is currently sitting joint 11th in the standings – alongside his brother and reigning world champion Jonny who won in Yokohama.
Jonny will compete in Madrid, a race he won last season on his way to his first world title, but Alistair's injury is not serious and he should be fit for the next race in Kitzbuhel at the start of July.
The series then continues in Hamburg and Stockholm before the Grand Final over the Olympic course in London's Hyde Park in September.
© Sportsbeat 2013