Brownlee runs away with the gold in Athlone

Garmin-sponsored star triathlete Alistair Brownlee has stormed ahead of an elite field in Athlone to win his first European title. Ending the race a full 40 seconds ahead of defending champion Javier Gomez of Spain, Brownlee secured his second major win in a row since his return from a stress fracture early in the season.

Five athletes emerged from the 1,500-metre River Shannon swim in front, with Gomez and Slovakia’s Richard Varga making the break, answered by Alistair, his brother Jonathan Brownlee and Italy’s Alessandro Fabian.

Varga couldn’t hold on to the pack on the bike course, while the others extended their lead over the 38-kilometre ride. After the exiting transition, Alistair Brownlee didn’t hang around for an invite before making his break. Storming to the front of the pack, he struck up a commanding pace that saw him 20 seconds ahead of the field just 3 kilometres into the 10k run.

As the younger Brownlee brother struggled to keep the pace after an impressive start, Alistair showed his strength and senior elite experience to take the European title a full 40 seconds ahead of silver medallist Gomez in a time of 1:44:24. Frenchman David Hauss rounded out the podium after charging down the main pack in the run.

Jonny Brownlee will have caught the attention of the elite field with a mature race that saw the 20-year-old triathlete finally finish mid-way in the table.

The women’s title was successfully defended by race favourite Swiss Nicola Spirig, as Garmin-sponsored U23 world champion Hollie Avil continued her ascent of the senior ranks with a solid performance to take tenth place after a strong swim and successful chase-down of the bike pack.

The next key date on the calendar for Garmin kit-sponsored triathletes Alistair Brownlee, Tim Don, Hollie Avil and Jonathan Brownlee will be the British Triathlon Championships on 15 August 2010.