Alistair Brownlee is one of 56 names on the provisional start list for IRONMAN Switzerland on 9 July, which is now held in Thun.

The double-Olympic champion has entered various long-distance races this season – including IRONMANs South Africa, Hamburg, France and Austria – but has yet to toe the line.

He made an encouraging return from injury when he was right in the mix at the stacked PTO European Open in Ibiza before fading slightly on the run and finishing sixth. And he followed that a week later with victory at XTERRA Weston Park.

Last chance saloon

Ahead of a potential appearance at IRONMAN Hamburg he posted: “I entered the race to give myself an option and I’ve been doing everything I can to get Ironman fit since the European Open.

“After a tough few weeks, my body has struggled to be ready in time for this race. My focus now shifts to a later Ironman which I’ll confirm soon.”

IRONMAN Switzerland is the last European-based race which has spots (two) on offer for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, for which Brownlee is yet to qualify.

Last year he left it to the last possible opportunity too when he won IRONMAN Kalmar in Switzerland in superb style and with the fastest full-distance time by a British athlete.

While injuries have proved frustrating, his full-distance record is seriously impressive – four races and three wins, with the sole exception his only appearance to date in Kona back in 2019.

Who are his potential opponents?

The course in Switzerland – especially the bike, which is described as ‘hilly’ – should play to his strengths.

However it’s a strong start list, with the likes of world #9 Daniel Baekkegard, World Long Distance champion and last weekend’s IRONMAN France winner Clement Mignon and even pro biker Cam Wurf also on it.

That trio have already qualified for Nice though and there must be doubts about them all lining up – especially Wurf who has already raced four IRONMANs this season.