Racing at the birthplace of modern triathlon, Brownlee (pictured above) broke away with a small group during the bike leg, only for them to be caught as a pack of 50 athletes formed.

In the run, the 22-year-old from Leeds moved away once again, with South Africa's Richard Murray, and after battling for the victory, Brownlee emerged triumphant in a time of 1 hour 48min 37sec.

The result, coming after seven months without competition, underlines the two-time and reigning world sprint triathlon champion's status alongside triathlon world champion brother Alistair as a favourite for London 2012.

Athens 2004 bronze medallist Sven Riederer (pictured below, left) of Switzerland then caught Murray (pictured below, right) to take second, and with it ensure his place at this summer's Olympics.

Riederer is now the joint most successful man in the history of the event not to have won an ITU World Series title, with three bronze and two silvers.

Russia's Alexander Bryukhankov also holds an identical record.


"For me it was the first race of the season, I did not really know what to expect," Brownlee, who, along with older brother Alistair, has already qualified for London 2012, said.

"Seven months is a long time out, I was in a bit of shock at the race briefing thinking, 'Wow, it's been a long, long time since I've been in one of these'.

"I went into the race very relaxed really because I knew I did not have to do anything.

"I did not have to finish top nine, top four or anything, I just had to race my own race, and yeah, I was pleased.

"The swim and the bike were good, I was not sure what to expect on that, but I have been running well all winter and my cross country races have been good.

"I felt good on the run.

"I felt a bit tired towards the end, I think I lacked a bit of racing there.

"Sven Riederer is a tough guy, he's chased me down a few times before...he never gives up...so it was a good race, I'm pleased to win, it shows that the training has gone well over the winter and I'm looking forward to the next race really."

For promising Murray, he now leads the World Series rankings.

Meanwhile, triple Olympian Hunter Kemper and Manuel Huerta, both of the United States, claimed spots at London 2012 with fifth and ninth place finishes respectively.

In the battle between those nations looking to qualify a maximum of three athletes, Canada and New Zealand are ahead of Portugal, France and Spain.


In the women's race, Jenkins (pictured above) clinched a second British triumph, winning gold in a time of 1:58:21.

The 28-year-old Scot went ahead of the pack on the first lap of the 10 kilometres run with Beijing 2008 Olympian Erin Densham from Australia.

Densham seemed to be pulling away from Jenkins before the world champion reined her in to take the lead.

Jenkins eventually finished a minute ahead of Densham, while American Laura Bennett (pictured below, right) secured a bronze medal and with it a second consecutive Olympic appearance.

Jenkins said it had been hard, but the support on the run had helped her through.

It was her second podium finish of 2012, after she claimed silver behind Densham in the first ITU Series leg of the season in Sydney.

"It was just such a good race, we really had to work really hard for that," Jenkins said.

"I really pushed the swim and we really worked hard on the bike and that was hard all the way.

"I really enjoyed the run course, it was really cool, there was so many people out there supporting...it was awesome."


Densham's (pictured above, left) Olympic hopes for this summer were also boosted by her result, though as yet only Emma Moffatt is confirmed among the female Australian contingent.

Another notable performance was the sixth place finish for Bermuda's Flora Duffy, just a week after she won her first World Cup title in Huatulco, Mexico.

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