Brownlee takes second World title

Three days after he watched his brother take bronze in the junior race, Alistair Brownlee today was crowned under23 men's world champion. The Brownlees are the first brothers in ITU history to medal at the same world championships. Brownlee also becomes just the second triathlete in ITU history to win both junior and under23 world titles. Last year's under23 world champion Gregor Buchholz of Germany showed off his strong finishing kick to edge out New Zealand's Martin Van Barneveld for the silver.

"I'm absolutely delighted, it's brilliant to be world champion again," said Brownlee, who won the junior world championships in Lausanne in 2006.

Last year's junior world champion Aurelien Raphael of France was first out of the water but did not own much of a lead as he was closely followed by Brownlee and Russian Alexander Brukhankov among others. In all 22 men exited the water within 20 seconds of each other. After the first of eight laps on the 40-kilometer bike course, the lead pack contained 25 men, all riding within six seconds of each other. The group contained the major contenders including Brownlee and Brukhankov. Defending champion Gregor Buchholz of Germany was in the first chase pack, about 20 seconds behind.

After coming off the bike, Nils Frommhold was first onto the 10-kilometer run course holding an 8-second lead. But he was quickly reeled in by the stronger runners Brownlee and Brukhankov who pulled ahead to take the lead. After the first lap Brownlee led the charge with his Russian rival 11 seconds behind. Four others, including Buchholz, were a further six seconds back.

As he took the bell lap, Brownlee had distanced himself even further from his pursuers as he owned a 26-second lead. Brukhankov began to fall off the pace, fading to fifth place and being passed by New Zealand's Martin Van Barneveld and Buchholz, who was putting up a strong fight in defence of his title. But amidst difficult conditions, it was Brownlee who rose to the challenge, coasting to the finish line carrying the Yorkshire flag of his home county.

"The swim was warmer than I thought. I got in and thought, 'it isn't too bad'," said Brownlee. "The bike (portion) was cold, really cold. My feet absolutely froze. The run, I didn't really get going but I don't think anyone really did because it was so cold."

Just like last year, Bucholz won the sprint down the final stretch to get on the podium for the second straight year. Van Barneveld becomes the first New Zealand man to win an under23 world championship medal.

(Credit: ITU. Click here for further information.)