Brownlee looking for same again

Alistair Brownlee is banking on a repeat performance as he sets his sights on successfully defending his Olympic men’s triathlon title in Rio this summer.

The London 2012 gold medallist will be joined by younger brother Jonny and fellow Leeds triathlete Gordon Benson in the three-man men’s team announced yesterday by the British Olympic Association.

In the women’s team, Vicky Holland will look to build on her first ITU Series titles in Cape Town and Edmonton last year as she takes part in her second Olympics, along with former world champions Non Stanford and Elgin’s Helen Jenkins.

Alistair Brownlee saw off Spanish rival Javier Gomez to win in London with brother Jonny taking bronze and all available form guides hint at a similar podium despite what Brownlee believes will be a “very different” course in Rio.

Brownlee said: “I think it’s fair to say things have got a bit closer over the last few years but I don’t think we’ve all performed to the best of our abilities and if that happens in Rio the podium will be the same.

“But I think it will be a good, hard race and a very different race in Rio. Even if the podium positions end up looking very much the same, I’m sure the race itself is going to be very different.”