Search
shop

From gold to gravel: Alistair Brownlee takes on Badlands

Alistair Brownlee goes very much off road this weekend for a new challenge as h takes on Spain's iconic Badlands challenge.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Alistair Brownlee is clearly well on the way back to full fitness after that ankle surgery, and this weekend he takes on a new challenge in the shape of the iconic Badlands gravel race in Spain.

The two-time Olympic champion made a valiant bid to reach Tokyo and keep the dream of a ‘threepeat’ alive, but had to admit defeat after his ankle problem again plagued him during WTCS Leeds in June.

After that Brownlee admitted he had undergone “three months of hell” trying to be fit for Tokyo, and underwent surgery on that troublesome ankle.

Advertisement

Badlands a unique race

Now that his short-course career is over, the future is over longer distances for Alistair, and this weekend should be a pretty good test of his endurance on a bike! Badlands provides a unique challenge – some 750km of terrain with deserts, mountains and 15km of climbing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nJu0vEVAes

Alistair revealed his Spanish plans in an Instagram post earlier this week, and he is pretty excited about taking (a huge) step into the unknown.

He said: “Fancied a new challenge so I’m throwing myself into Badlands gravel event this weekend. 750km of mixed terrain including mountains and deserts completely self supported.

“I’ve never done anything quite like it and I have no idea how I’ll cope with a lack of good sleep but I can’t wait to see the tracks, trails and roads of southern Spain by bike.”

Brownlee goes into print

Aside from rehab, Alistair has also been busy in recent months with other projects – notably going into print with his new book ‘Relentless: Secrets Of The Sporting Elite’. In that he spent time with and interviewed a host of top sports stars about their own experiences.

Brownlee also now no longer faces a race against time to make the next IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. He had stressed he would not risk the future to be ready for the planned October 9 race. But now that of course has been rescheduled back to February 2022 due to ongoing COVID-19 issues in Hawaii.

Back to Badlands to round off, and to give an idea of the challenge Alistair faces this weekend, Australian pro cyclist Lachlan Morton won the 2020 event in 43 hours and 30 minutes, stopping for just 19 minutes in the process.

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...