Brownlee finishes fourth at ITU World Triathlon in Hamburg

The 28-year-old finished four seconds behind South African Richard Murray in third place as Mario Mola clinched the gold medal ahead of Frenchman Vincent Luis.

Brownlee, who has only just returned from a series of illnesses and injuries, triumphed on the bike and established a lead by the end of the 20km bike section with Kristian Blummenfelt and Luis.

But as Murray and Mola caught the leading pack, Brownlee could do little to keep-up with the pace setters in the 5km run as the two-time ITU World Series champion Mola raced to cross the line.

Spaniard Mola extended his lead at the top of the World Series rankings and is set to retain his world title after a third Hamburg victory in succession.

Elsewhere in the women's race, Team GB's Non Stanford and Jodie Stimpson achieved top ten finishes as French youngster Cassandre Beaugrand powered to victory.

Double Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jessica Learmonth led after the swim before sharply being caught by the chasing riding pack.

Non Stanford was the best of the British women in sixth, closely followed by Stimpson in seventh.

Olympic bronze medallist Vicky Holland moved to second in the World Series standings despite a minor crash which left the 32-year-old in 22nd place.

Speaking after the race, Stanford said: "The bike was really chaotic. The girls were racing aggressively in a good way, and that showed by the second group catching.

"Overall, I'm happy and everything is going in the right way.

"It's disappointing Vicky had a crash as she's in great shape but we're really pleased with how we're doing as a team at the moment."

Sportsbeat 2018