Brownlee back to winning ways in World Triathlon Series

“I doubted myself a lot,” Brownlee admitted. “Athletes have short term memories and it doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past. I didn’t know if I’d get on a podium again, let alone win. It’s been tough but I’ve finally won something.

“The swim was great, I got some clear water, the bike we really committed, and then the run I felt really good. With a lap to go I knew I’d be alright.

“People say he’s past it and has had his best years, but I still feel my best races are to come.”

One of those races now looks more likely to be the test event in Tokyo next month where a podium finish will guarantee Brownlee selection for next year’s Olympics.

This was not a weak field either. In contrast to the earlier women’s race, most of the leading male contenders had turned up in Alberta in force.

It was testament to the most open world title race since the inception of the World Series in 2009, with triathletes looking for vital points ahead of the Grand Final in Lausanne.

Three Spaniards were in the top five of the rankings including Mola and Javier Gomez who have won the last six world titles between them.

Alex Yee was the leading Brit in the standings in 13th, but instead chose to race in athletics’ Anniversary Games in London where he posted a new 5km personal best of 13:29.

Series leader Luis set the pace in the 750m lake swim in Hawrelak Park in 8:30. Brownlee looked impressive to emerge in fifth, just 5sec back, and was able to form a strong front bike pack of five with Matt Hauser, Ben Kanute, Luis and Van Riel.

The quintet pushed hard to establish a 29sec gap in the first of five bike laps which had one short climb and a descent where speeds reached over 70km/h.

That lead was gradually whittled away, but Jake Birtwhistle, the only male triathlete to have won two WTS events this season – in Leeds and Hamburg – was an early retirement.