ALISTAIR DOMINATES SIBLING RIVALRY
Alistair Brownlee added Commonwealth Games gold to his remarkable triathlon portfolio to keep brother Jonny still jealously eyeing the top step of the podium.
The Olympic gold medallist had time to grab St George and Yorkshire flags and give his brother a clap as he walked down the home straight and over the finish line to cap a perfect day for England at Strathclyde Country Park.
England had never won a medal in triathlon at the Commonwealths before but took home four on one day after Jodie Stimpson produced a superb performance to take gold in the women's race, with Vicky Holland winning a surprise bronze.
The Brownlees led virtually from start to finish but it was 26-year-old Alistair who again had the edge to add the Commonwealth crown to his Olympic gold, two world and three European titles.
Alistair joked he might have to retire now he had nothing new left to win, but his competitive desire is deadly serious.
He said: "I'm fortunate I've won the world title, I've won the Olympic title and to complete the set with the Commonwealth title as well, that's the most important thing for me.
"They're the big three things in Olympic-distance triathlon so it's perfect, it's far more than I ever could have dreamed of.
"That's fantastic but in no way does that make me any less competitive.
"Stick me on a start line and whether it's a training session on a rainy Saturday morning in Leeds or a Commonwealth Games on a very hot Thursday in Glasgow, it doesn't matter, I'm still very competitive.
"More than anything, injuries have taught me that I love what I do, I love being on the start line and I love being able to compete. I can't really see the appeal of that going even if I'm not able to win races."
Jonny, 24, completed his own sweep having won Olympic bronze, the world title in 2012 and now Commonwealth silver.
He has still not got the better of his brother in the big races, though, and admitted he paid for the hard work they did together on the bike.
The pair stuck to their pre-race promise to make it a tough afternoon by staying a minute ahead of their rivals over the 40-kilometre bike leg but once they began the 10km run it was each brother for himself.
Alistair put his foot down early in the run and never looked in danger of being caught.
Jonny said: "I'm used to it now. I'm the guy who always comes second or third.
"Hopefully my time will come. He's getting older, he's getting a little bit greyer, so hopefully in a few years' time I'll be able to beat him.
"I like to think I'm getting closer. If it had been a different race I might have been a little bit closer. That race definitely suited him."
England will be hot favourites for a third gold on Saturday in the mixed relay, with the team almost certain to comprise the four individual medallists.
