World Triathlon Series Final: Javier Gomez reigns in the rain, as Brownlee brothers left disappointed

Javier Gomez (R) out sprints Jonathan Brownlee to win theWorld Triathlon Grand Final London and the World Championships Series at Hyde Park on September 15, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Javier Gomez won the World Triathlon Series Final on Sunday, as he stormed past Jonny Brownlee within touching distance of the finish line. The sprint finish was a fitting conclusion to the series, and provided the hundred thousand strong crowd, gathered in Hyde Park, with some late excitement. Yet the result left the British public disappointed, as Jonny was unable to defend his World Championship crown, and elder brother Alistair struggled badly on the run with an ankle injury.

The early morning sunshine, which lit up Hyde Park at dawn, had all but disappeared by the start of the lunchtime race, and the chilly, wet conditions even caused the age group races during the morning to have their swim distance reduced. The crowds were in warmer spirit however, and with both Brownlee brothers exiting the first transition phase in the lead group, it looked like everything was perfectly set up for a repeat of Alistair’s heroics on the same course in the Olympics last year.

The elder Brownlee was evidently keen to force the pace on the bike. When he wasn’t putting in hard stints into the wind at the front of the group, he was berating others in the group for not doing the same.

“I wanted to keep the groups apart and also put in a few attacks to stretch Gomez,” Alistair remarked after the race.

“But it was tough as we never really got people working. I don’t quite understand why the other guys don’t work. It’s their best chance for a good result.”

As the bike went on, and the rain started to fall, Alistair attempted to break off the front. He launched several attacks, perhaps hoping to replicate his breakaway three weeks ago in Stockholm, but each one was chased down, and with the course relatively flat, it always looked a tough task. Meanwhile Gomez sat in the pack, quietly going about his business, conserving energy for the run.

It became quickly evident, as the lead group exited transition into the run, that Brownlee Senior’s tactics had been forced upon him by his injury. He grimaced with pain as he rapidly dropped back from Gomez and his brother, who set a brutal pace during the first few kilometres. He dropped to twelfth place, mounted a brief recovery, before falling away badly towards the end.

Jonathan Brownlee and Javier Gomez battle during the World Triathlon Grand Final London at Hyde Park on September 15, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

“I was going to pull out, but I’ve never pulled out of a race before, and I’m not going to start now,” said the Olympic champion.

“It was hit and miss whether I was going to be alright. There have been tons of times over the last three months where I’ve had the same thing and it was absolutely fine. And so I wanted to give myself at least a chance. I had to start.”

Visibly disappointed, with his left ankle immersed in a bucket of ice afterwards, he suggested that this may be the last time he attempts to challenge for the series, which requires athletes to appear in at least four races as well as the grand final in order to be in the running for the world championship prize.

“I’m not convinced the series is a good thing for me. It’s very tough on the body. I may have to start being more selective with my races. I would have preferred to have been fully fit for London and won this, than won the other three races I did. It meant that much.”

Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee pose for a photo ahead of the World Triathlon Grand Final London on day three of the World Championships Series at Hyde Park on September 13, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Such is the bond between the brothers, that one almost felt his disappointment was partly for his brother though. As the younger Brownlee and Gomez came into the last kilometre, Alistair, running in the opposite direction to the pair, shouted at his brother to use his head.

Jonny kicked first for home, pulling out a slender lead over his Spanish rival, and looked, as he was roared into the home straight, like he would hold on for victory. Yet Gomez came back superbly, and despite not being renowned for his sprint finish, passed Brownlee with thirty metres remaining and ended another fairytale Brownlee story.

“I’m so happy. It was very difficult to get this title, knowing that Alistair was leading here. But I came and did my job. I had a very tough race from the beginning and Jonathan was very strong today and hard to beat, but I had an extra little gear in the last hundred metres. I have lost so many sprints, so this time it was lucky,” said the Spaniard.

“I’ve been racing against the Brownlees for the last couple of years, and I can say that they are the best athletes I’ve ever seen. It’s even harder to beat them on home soil.”

Speaking afterwards, Jonny couldn’t hide his dejection: “I’m gutted to be honest. It was tough to take. I wanted to win. Especially here in London after last year. I was so close, so it’s hard losing by that margin because you ask yourself what you could have done differently. Could I have taken the final corner differently? Or could I have saved energy on the bike? Maybe I should have let him make the move first on the sprint. But I’ve won sprints before like that quite easily.”

“Alistair was shouting at me on the course, telling me to use my head. He probably expected me to win the sprint really. I tried my best but it wasn’t to be.”

Reflecting on his brother’s injury nightmare, Jonny said: “I knew he was under par. I told him to not even start. He was really worried about his ankle when we went for a run yesterday. He hasn’t run properly since Stockholm which was three weeks ago now. If he was anyone else in this race, he probably wouldn’t have started. If I was in his condition, I definitely wouldn’t have started the race, but he wanted to try and see.”

Alistair Brownlee in action during the World Triathlon Grand Final London at Hyde Park on September 15, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

It was a brave effort from the Olympic champion, yet it is clear an extended period of rest is required. The pair host their own triathlon at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire next weekend and intend to take some time off after.

“It has been a long year,” said Jonny.

“I’m looking forward to a break. We’re climbing Kilimanjaro in October. That’s part of our break. People laugh at us when we call it a break but the way I see it, you only walk for four hours a day, and after that there is nothing to do so you have to sit down and rest. It’ll be a nice relaxing holiday!” Some relaxing holiday!

Yet for all the focus on the Brownlees, the day very definitely belonged to Gomez. He has had a fantastic end to the season, and for all the dominance of the brothers over the last couple of years, he has played an equally important part in the sport’s rise. Underestimated, under-appreciated, but his victory was certainly not undeserving.