Double Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee warned there's plenty left in his tank, after claiming his first ITU World Triathlon Series gold medal for two years in Edmonton, Canada.
The 29-year-old – who was series champion in 2012 – hadn’t won an event in the competition since taking the top prize in Stockholm in 2017 but went on to finish five seconds ahead of Spaniard Mario Mola in second.
After a strong swim, Brownlee established his place in the leading pack on the bike which continued into the second transition as Australian Matthew Hauser looked to take charge of the 5km run.
But the Yorkshireman stepped up a gear on the last lap, and after holding off a late charge from Mola to seal victory, admitted it was nice to prove his doubters wrong.
“I knew I could do it,” he said. “I knew I was doing well in training, I was just having bad luck after bad luck.
“I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt when people say I’m past it, but I know from my training I’m fit, and I still believe I can have my best racing in the year to come.
“It’s been tough but I’m getting there now, and I’ve finally won something – it’s about time!
“The swim was great, on the bike we were really committed and the on the run I was faster than I thought – I felt really good.”
In the women’s race, Leeds-based Beth Potter secured a 14th place on her ITU World Triathlon Series debut, while Sophie Coldwell finished one place back in 15th.
Sportsbeat 2019