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

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.