Alistair Brownlee made T100 triathlon history last month in Ibiza when he received the first ever drafting penalty in the new series. On Saturday in Lake Las Vegas, he picked up another.
Britain’s two-time Olympic champion was handed a blue card early in the bike leg in Nevada as he kept close tabs on leader and two-time T100 winner in 2024, Belgium’s Marten Van Riel. Too close as it turned out.
Brownlee shook his head as he was informed of the penalty, which would mean he would have to spend 60 seconds in the penalty tent.
Nightmare for Alistair
The penalty came as a bitter blow for Alistair, who went into the race with high hopes of claiming his first podium of the 2024 season. He had finished a promising fourth in Ibiza despite that infraction hampering his podium bid.
He started really well here, being in a front pack of six exiting the swim in the waters of Lake Las Vegas. Then he was part of a front breakaway of three on the bike – sandwiched between Belgian ace Van Riel and German star Justus Nieschlag.
But after serving his penalty, Brownlee emerged from the tent back down in seventh position and now with much to do to contend at the business end of proceedings.
Much to do for Brownlee
At the next checkpoint – around 18km into the 80km big leg, Alistair was 1:09 down on leader and race favourite Van Riel – who has already claimed two wins from T100 starts so far in 2024.
He was followed by Nieschlag, France’s Mathis Margirier and another Belgian Jelle Geens.
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