The Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonathan, took a stunning one-two in the debut of the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds while Gwen Jorgensen took the women’s title in one of the most competitive races in the ITU World Triathlon Series so far this season.
The elite athletes were roared home by a huge and passionate support in Leeds, with an estimated crowd in excess of 80,000 people watching the race in the city’s official spectator zones and along the course, which spanned from Roundhay Park into the city centre.
This was alongside the more than 6,000 amateur athletes that competed across the whole triathlon weekend.
In their hometown, the pressure was on for the Brownlee brothers to deliver in front of crowds bigger than anyone had seen at a triathlon since London 2012. Even with the ITU World Champion and Olympic silver medallist, Javier Gomez (ESP), in the race, they achieved the dream result in convincing fashion.
Looking in his best form since last year at the ITU World Triathlon London, the Olympic Champion ran through the 10km looking smooth, strong and in control.
He said: “Thank you Leeds! The people absolutely made it today. We had support like I’ve never known it.”
Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said: “What a fantastic weekend for Leeds and Yorkshire! Today in particular has been a very special day which I’m sure will live long in the memory of everyone who saw it. After an incredible women’s race featuring the fantastic Gwen Jorgensen, Flora Duffy and Vicky Holland, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee following it up by coming first and second in their home city is the perfect result.
“Once again Leeds has shown itself off fantastically to the world as the perfect venue for major international events. I’d like to thank everyone around the route for creating such an electric atmosphere and to everyone involved in making the event such a success, especially the volunteers who yet again showed our city at its finest. We look forward to hopefully making World Triathlon Leeds even bigger and better next year as part of our commitment to Leeds being recognised around the world as a leading triathlon city.”
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