ENGLAND’S Alistair Brownlee retained family bragging rights after trumping younger brother Jonathan to win triathlon gold at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday.
The men’s one-two capped a great day for the English team after Jodie Stimpson earlier took gold in the women’s event.
The two races took place in sweltering conditions, air temperatures peaking at 28 degrees celsius (82F), with the water a balmy 22C, meaning the triathletes didn’t even have to wear the ever-cumbersome wetsuits for their swim.
Alistair Brownlee, the reigning Olympic champion, made his move halfway through the 10km run after working together with his brother in the opening 1.5km swim and secondary 40km cycle around Strathclyde Loch.
“It was tough from start to finish, Jonny was brilliant,” the winning Brownlee said, the triathlon returning to the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time since Melbourne 2006, having made its debut at Manchester 2002.
“It’s fantastic to be Commonwealth and Olympic champion. That was my goal for the season. I have done everything I wanted to do now — I may as well retire!"
Jonny Brownlee, who won bronze at the London Games in 2012, had no problems taking silver.
“Alistair was better than me today, I am pleased with second,” he admitted.
"It’s hot and I need a good sit down after this. It was hard.
“I have completed the whole set of medals, I am very pleased with that.” Scottish student Marc Austin stuck with the Brownlees after a good swim until the last of five laps on the bike around the loch, the chasing peloton swallowing him up.
From then on in, it was clear only a disaster would prevent the brothers claiming victory, leaving the peloton to race for bronze. AFP