Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee has expressed his confidence at being able to extend the family winning run when he competes at the San Diego leg of the World Triathlon Series.
Brownlee heads up a seven-strong British team set to race in America however brother Jonathan, who won Olympic bronze behind Alistair at London 2012, isn’t included as he rests an ankle injury.
Alistair is set to go head-to-head with Spaniard Javier Gomez, who claimed silver at London 2012 but won the opening leg of the World Triathlon Series in Auckland last month.
However Gomez will race in San Diego knowing Alistair has won 11 of their 16 World Triathlon Series encounters while Jonathan was victorious in California last year.
And Alistair, while admitting his fitness isn’t the same as when he raced at the London 2012 Olympics, insists Jonathan’s victory last year is raising his spirits.
“It was nice to see Jonny win here last year and it certainly gives me some confidence going into the race. You never really know how you are feeling until you are into that race situation,” said Alistair.
“I’m not in the shape from London but I can’t spend my life trying to be in that shape all the time.
“I have six to eight weeks of training, but I have a massive few months gap from last year to now, so I am just happy to be here and looking forward to racing to see what I have got.
“I have spent the last few years racing when fit and on form, so this will be nice to see how I go.”
Joining Alistair in the men’s race are fellow Brits David McNamee, Mark Buckingham and Adam Bowden while Jodie Stimpson heads up the three women competing.
Stimpson was forced out of the first World Triathlon Series leg in Auckland with hypothermia but is back as is Katie Hewison, who withdrew in New Zealand with a stomach bug.
Non Stanford completes the trio of British women and performance director Brendan Purcell is optimistic ahead of the racing getting underway.
“Obviously we’re all excited to see Alistair race, but I’m excited about the whole team. They all have big opportunities and they’re looking forward to racing,” said Purcell.
“I’m looking for intelligent racing and we’ve already tested out our pre-race plans so we’re definitely ready to go.”
© Sportsbeat 2013