Brownlee (pictured top) will be involved in an intriguing match-up against Javier Gomez, who he defeated at London 2012 to take gold, leaving the Spaniard to settle for silver.

It was Brownlee's 11th victory over Gomez in 16 races.

Gomez won the opening race of this year's ITU World Triathlon Series in Auckland earlier this month. 

Jonathan Brownlee, who won bronze at London 2012 before claiming the world title, has been forced to withdraw from the event on Sunday (April 21) due to injury, leaving it down to his brother to keep the Brownlee name on the trophy for another year.

Last year's women's winner, Britain's Helen Jenkins, also does not appear on the start list for tomorrow's race in San Diego, as well as silver and bronze medallists Erin Densham of Australia and Laura Bennett of the United States, leaving the race wide open.

Germany's Anne Haug won in the first stage in Auckland earlier this month

Germany's Anne Haug will most likely be considered the favourite after her wins in Auckland and at the Mooloolaba World Cup this season, but is set to face tough competition from the likes of Andrea Hewitt from New Zealand, Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile and American Sarah Groff.

The race features a 1.5 kilometre swim in Bonita Cove from a beach start, followed by a 40km bike ride, in which athletes will complete eight circuits of a 5km track, finished off with a 10km three-lap beach-side run.

San Diego will also host one of five ITU International Para-triathlon events this season, and will offer the opportunity for first team Paratriathletes to be given official classification, with the event contributing to the overall rankings.

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April 2013: Gomez and Haug come out on top in 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series opener in Auckland