Brownlees look to thrill Yorkshire crowd as World Triathlon Series comes to Leeds

They may have two Olympic medals apiece to their name from London and Rio, but there's nothing like competing on home soil for Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

And as Yorkshire's favourite sons, the brothers will look to capitalise on that familiarity when they take to the streets of Leeds on Sunday, for the fourth round of the ITU World Triathlon Series.

This weekend will see triathlon take over the city, with amateur, junior and novice racers flocking to the white rose county in their thousands.

But it is Sunday's elite men's and women's events that look set to draw the most attention, as the Brownlee brothers compete together for the first time since their one-two finish in Rio last August.

Since then, Alistair has turned his hand to Ironman races, while Jonny has enjoyed mixed success in other ITU WTS events this season - but they've both been counting down the days until their return to Leeds.

"I'm obviously really looking forward to racing in Leeds, I couldn't miss my home race," said double Olympic champion Alistair, who won the race in Leeds last year.

"The atmosphere in the crowds in the city centre was magical last year, so hopefully there will be even more people turn out this year, and they'll shout even louder."

Younger brother Jonny added: "I've had a bit of an unlucky start to the year, but if I want to do well in the Series I have to do well in Leeds.

"So hopefully it will start well on Sunday, and hopefully I can finally beat Alistair in a big race."

The brothers won't be the only British interests in the race however, with Tom Bishop, who finished second in Abu Dhabi in March, also set to feature.

They will also be joined by Gordon Benson and Adam Bowden, with Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon completing the British male line-up.

Rio 2016 Olympian Non Stanford will lead the British charge in the women's race, and is expected to pose Britain's biggest challenge to ITU World champion Flora Duffy.

Stanford will line-up alongside Jess Learmonth and Lucy Hall, as well as ETU Triathlon European champion India Lee and recent ITU World Cup winner Georgia Taylor-Brown.

Sportsbeat 2017