Search
shop

British triathlon great Alistair Brownlee laments London luck after tyre trauma, but finds fitness silver linings

Alistair Brownlee saw his day spoiled by front wheel puncture on the bike at the London T100, which ended up costing him two minutes.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

It was a day of what could have been for Alistair Brownlee at the London T100, as the two-time Olympic Champion saw his chances hampered by a puncture on the bike.

After coming out of the water in the front group, Brownlee was with the leaders through the first three laps, before a front wheel flat cost him close to two minutes.

Running home to an eighth place finish, there were some silver linings for the Yorkshireman, with fitness trending in the right direction ahead of the crux of the season.

Advertisement

A tough day out

Having such fond memories of racing in London made his puncture even tougher to take for Brownlee, who said that he had been feeling good up in the front group until that point.

“It was a bit frustrating really. It was a shame, I was in the front group and it was feeling pretty easy, and then I just got a massive front puncture and I had to ride on it until I could change my wheel.

“I then just had to race the rest of the day at my own pace. You don’t know where you could’ve finished [after a puncture] but I was going pretty easy in the front group and a lot harder behind and I wasn’t catching.” 

Full of praise for London

Despite the disappointment, Brownlee said it was great to be back racing in the British capital, and that the atmosphere out on course made him proud to be British.

“It’s always great to be in London. There were great crowds, definitely the best crowds so far in a T100 race and it makes you proud to be British that we keep on delivering that kind of atmosphere and crowds.

“London should be one of the venues, it’s a real sporting capital and it’s always good for me to race in London and the crowds really make it here and it was nice to see some friendly faces out on the course.” 

Advertisement

Ready to go again

With his swim and bike performances so far this season indicating he is in shape to compete at the front of races, the main question marks around Brownlee surrounded his run.

Britain's Alistair Brownlee finished fifth at the Miami T100.
[Photo Credit – PTO]

In London, albeit after a potentially easier ride, the 36-year-old ran the eighth fastest run leg and spent several laps trading blows with Belgian Pieter Heemeryck, one of the best runners in the sport.

With races in Ibiza, Las Vegas, Dubai and the Grand Final still to come, it remains to be seen whether or not Brownlee will crack that elusive podium in 2024, but with a little bit of luck, it could well happen over the second half of the season.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
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...