Jonny Brownlee ready to emerge from Alistair's shadow

Jonny Brownlee feels the absence of older brother Alistair will benefit, not hinder, his chances of winning a second World Series title '“ a year on from his dramatic collapse with glory in sight.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2017, 13:38 BST
Updated 15th May 2017, 09:28 BST
The Brownlee Brothers, Jonny and Alistair cycle near the Harewood estate. (Picture: Tony Johnson)The Brownlee Brothers, Jonny and Alistair cycle near the Harewood estate. (Picture: Tony Johnson)
The Brownlee Brothers, Jonny and Alistair cycle near the Harewood estate. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

Brownlee competes this weekend in his first World Series event since the ill-fated Grand Final in Mexico last year, where exhaustion dramatically kicked in with less than half a mile to the finish line. Alistair provided the arm around the shoulder that dragged him to the finish line where he eventually finished behind Spaniard Mario Mola in the standings.

With Alistair, the double Olympic champion, opting to take on Ironman challenges in 2017, Jonny is the only Brownlee in the draw for the third race of the Series in Yokohoma on Saturday.But the 27-year-old, who missed the first two races in this year’s Series, is not worried over the prospect of racing alone – the pair frequently push the pace together during the cycling leg.

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“In the past I’ve really enjoyed not having Alistair there. I’ve had my best races without him,” he said.

Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)
Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)

“It puts more emphasis on me and I race more aggressively.

“Instead of looking over my shoulder and waiting for him to make those moves, it’s up to me. But also in training as well, I’ve been able to do what suits me.

“I’ve tried to get my own little group around me. Hopefully, it’ll come good in the next couple of years,” added the Olympic silver medallist.

Five-time winner  Javier Gómez, of Spain, has taken an early lead in the World Series standings with reigning champion Mola down in fourth.

Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)
Britain's Alistair Brownlee, left, helps his brother Jonny to get to the finish line during the Triathlon World Series event in Cozumel, Mexico, Sunday Sept. 18, 2016. Exhausted Jonny Brownlee began to weave over the road in hot and humid conditions, when third-placed Alistair, caught his brother, propping him up for the final couple of hundred metres before pushing him over the line in second place. (Delly Carr/AP)
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Saturday’s race is the last before the Series swings into Leeds on June 10-11, a race which will be the fourth of eight legs around the world before the Grand Final in Rotterdam from September 14-17.

And after last year’s near miss, 2012 champion Brownlee is determined to have his name back on the trophy.

“It hurt me going in to this year, because you don’t get many chances to become world champion and I messed it up.

“It made me very hungry to come in to the 2017 season and try to achieve that.”

Related topics:Jonny BrownleeMexicoLeeds