With a longer wait until his first triathlon event of the year following the cancellation of WTCS Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Jonny Brownlee tested his fitness at the iconic Northern Road Relays last weekend.
Representing his boyhood club Bingley Harriers, the three-time Olympian raced against hundreds of other athletes as the top teams in the region battled it out for the title and a spot at nationals.
Having impressed earlier this year with a podium on the bike at a race in Spain, Brownlee looks to have overcome a tough period of racing in 2023 ahead of the crucial final period of Olympic qualification.
“I wanted to test myself and do something different”
Despite a great performance on the day, things weren’t all smooth sailing at the event in Wythenshawe for Brownlee, with the former World Champion almost missing the event due to a road closure.
“I wanted to test myself and do something different this weekend. Certainly did that. After the M62 was closed and we spent 3 hours in the car, I arrived 12 minutes before the start of the race!
“After five minutes of warm u, the first kilometre was a bit of a shock! But, it was good to get stuck in and great to see many old faces. Came back in second on the first leg and helped the team qualify for the nationals!”
With Bingley finishing in twentieth, the team will have the opportunity to compete at the National Road Relays in Sutton Park on Saturday April 6. Having recorded one of the fastest 8km legs of the day at Northerns, Brownlee will be sorely missed by the team if he can’t attend.
However, given he is set to race in London at the 2024 E World Triathlon Championship on April 13, British fans will have another opportunity to watch the Yorkshireman race on home soil ahead of the buildup to the Paris Olympic Games.
