Alistair Brownlee produced one of the most impressive performances of his career to retain his European triathlon title in Spain today after recovering from a flat tyre.
The 2009 world champion - one of the favourites for Olympic gold nest year - looked out of contention after the bike leg but he fought hard to get back to the main pack and then immediately took charge on the run with younger brother Jonny.
The pair quickly reeled in the breakaway leaders, who included Britain's Todd Leckie, and ran together until the final stages when Alistair pulled away to claim a remarkable victory by eight seconds.
It continued the 23-year-old's superb run of form after victories in the World Championship Series races in Madrid and last week in Kitzbuhel, which had put him top of the rankings.
Jonny, 21, had to be content with another second place, as he had at the WCS events in Sydney and Madrid, more than a minute clear of Russia's Dmitry Polyansky.
Leckie eventually finished 22nd while world champion Javier Gomez, racing in his home town of Pontevedra, struggled with a stitch during the run and crossed the line in 40th.
France's Emmie Charayron won the women's race with Jodie Stimpson the best of the British finishers in 10th place, two ahead of former world under-23 champion Hollie Avil in her first major race of the season.
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