waz
ADMINISTRATOR
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 21,159
- Reaction score
- 91
- Country
- Location
Another gold and silver for us bro.
OTHER SPORTS
RIO 2016 OLYMPICS
Brownlee brothers claim triathlon 1-2 with touching scenes at finish line as Team GB continue Olympics gold rush
16:47, 18 AUG 2016 UPDATED 17:00, 18 AUG 2016 BY ED MALYON
The Yorkshire heroes took the medals, with Ali running to gold as Jonny claimed silver
Watch next Rio 2016 Olympic Jaguar shot dead by soldier »
Team GB added more silverware to its already astonishing medal pile as the Brownlee brothers brought home a British 1-2 in the triathlon.
28-year-old Alistair repeated his London success of four years ago to claim gold, beating Jonny, 26, by six seconds.
It was an extraordinary race from the Dewsbury-born pair, showing great stamina, determination and - ultimately - speed.
South Africa's Richard Schoeman took bronze but the day belonged to the British duo in the wake of an astonishing dual display.
The Brownlee brothers hold hands after collapsing straight afrer the finish
After both managing to stay in the ten-strong leading pack during swim, defending champion Alistair was fourth out of the water while little bro Jonny was two places back when it came to mounting their bikes.
Their training partner Richard Varga of Slovakia returned to shore in the lead, but it wasn't long before the Yorkshire Tykes had reeled him in and Jonny Brownlee led for much of the road course's eight laps on two wheels.
In the run-up to the event the brothers had claimed they preferred Rio's challenging course to the flatter London equivalent of 2012, and they hammered their way through Rio's twisting, undulating circuit.
Daily Mirror
Alistair Brownlee and brother Jonathan start off for the swim on Copacabana Beach
Daily Mirror
Swimmers compete in the first part of the Triathlon on Copacabana Beach
Daily Mirror
Alistair Brownlee, quickly followed by his brother Jonathan, emerge from the swim
“No disrespect, but I like the Rio course more than London," gold medal-winning Ali had said.
"Four years ago, it looked great because the crowds were vast and Hyde Park always looks nice in your holiday snaps, but the terrain was flat and, from a racing point of view, it was pretty sterile.
REUTERS
Richard Varga of Slovakia emerges as leader from the swim in the Men's triathlon
REUTERS
The triathletes begin the cycling leg
“We both prefer big climbs, where you can put some distance between your rivals. London was more of an event than a course, but in Rio the hills will sort out the climbers from the flat-track bullies.”
That they did, and Spaniard Mario Mola - who was expected to be one of the brothers' biggest rivals - was one of those to struggle. He and teammate Fernando Alarza emerged from the water nearly a minute behind the Brits and even despite their strength on the road struggled to haul themselves back into the medal picture.
A leading group had broken away and by the midway stage of the cycle were extending their lead, with the two Brownlees and Frenchman Vincent Luis dictating a ferocious pace up front.
REUTERS
Vincent Luis of France led the Brownlees briefly
Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain compete for first place
Vincent has traditionally been more of a threat over the shorter form but finished second at the Rio test event to ensure he was respected by elite competition. And as soon as they left their bikes behind and began to pound the streets of Rio, the three pulled away.
While Luis' stamina began to fade at the 80-minute mark, allowing South Africa's Henri Schoeman into the picture, the Brownlees kicked on into top gear.
After lap one of four on foot they had opened up a six-second gap and it became a one-on-one slog for gold.
Four years ago it was Ali who broke away from his younger sibling, testing his ability to kick on in the searing heat and humidity of Brazil. But Jonny, as in London, simply could not respond to his brother's superior stamina and drive.
As Alistair entered the final 2500m lap, he had opened opened up a 15-second lead and he proceeded to extend it further and further until slowing as he crossed the line, eventually walking, to wait for his brother and claim an incredible 1-2.
THE COURSE
Swim 1.5km (1 lap) The swim was held on the Copacabana Beach. Athletes ran into the water from the beach to perform one out and back lap.
Bike 40km (8 laps) The cycling course was a technical twister, with sharp inclines, descents and 90-degree turns.
Run 10km (4 laps) Athletes ankled it along Avenida Atlantica in front of Copacabana Beach for a total of four out-and-back laps.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/brownlee-brothers-claim-triathlon-1-8659142
So it's a clean 1-2 sweep for our famous brownlee brothers as I expected. Well done. Keep the medals coming.
Oh man, that was so epic on so many levels. I'm watching the medal ceremony just to see our flag fly over two podiums.
All on the count 1, 2 and 3,
For God! For Queen! For country!