Alistair Brownlee eyes third European title in Kitzbuhel this weekend ahead of the Commonwealth Games in July
Alistair Brownlee won the ITU WTS race in Kitzbuehel last year (Photo: Triathlon.org)
Olympic Champion, Alistair Brownlee, continues his build up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games with an appearance this weekend at the Kitzbuhel ETU Triathlon European Championships in Austria. In a location that he’s enjoyed great success, Brownlee could win the third European title of his career.
Brownlee features in a team of seven British elite senior athletes and six juniors. In addition, the British squad features six defending European Champions in the elite paratriathlon. Racing starts tomorrow, Friday 19 June, and the elite men’s race, featuring Brownlee, takes place on Saturday afternoon.
Returning from injury, Brownlee commented: “Each race I’ve done this year has been better than the last so if I can continue that in Kitzbuhel I’m going in the right direction for the Commonwealth Games.”
He added: “Of course, there’s a major title on the line here and it’s a venue I love going back to so I’m looking forward to it.”
All three members of Scotland’s Commonwealth Games men’s team will compete in Kitzbuhel. David McNamee races for the first time this season since a bike crash in February. Grant Sheldon and Marc Austin join him, just as they will do in StrathclydePark for the Commonwealth Games next month.
Matt Sharp, Holly Lawrence and Lois Rosindale complete the senior line up, whilst the juniors are listed below.
In the paratriathlon on Saturday morning Britain has six defending European Champions following last year’s event in Alanya, Turkey. Jane Egan and Phil Hogg (PT1), Sarah Pearson (PT3), Lauren Steadman (PT4) and Melissa Reid and David Ellis (PT5)will start the defense of their titles from 8am on Saturday.
Despite being located in the Alps, the course is relatively flat, centered around Lake Schwarzsee and the centre of Kitzbuhel. The event is being streamed live via YouTube and the European Triathlon Union will provide updates via Twitter @ETUTriathlon.
Great Britain Teams
Elite junior
Luke Penney
Alex West
Sophie Coldwell
Kate Curran
Sarah Hodgeson
Sian Rainsley
Elite senior
Marc Austin
Alistair Brownlee
David McNamee
Matt Sharp
Grant Sheldon
Hollie Lawrence
Lois Rosindale
Paratriathlon
PT1
Mark Conway
Phil Hogg – defending champion
Joe Townswend
Karen Darke
Jane Egan – defending champion
PT3
Russell White
Sally Pearson – defending champion
PT4
Chris Frost
David Hill
Claire Cunningham
FayeMcClelland
Lauren Steadman – defending champion
PT5
Iain Dawson (guide Matt Ellis)
Dave Ellis (guide Luke Watson) – defending champion
Chris Goodwin (guide Jack Peasgood)
Alison Patrick (guide Jenny Manners)
Melissa Reid (guide Nicole Walters) – defending champion
Elite schedule (local times are shown, Kitzbuhel is one hour ahead of London)
Friday, 20th June, 2014
13:00 Start Junior female
15:00 Start Elite female
Saturday, 21st June, 2014
08:00 Paratriathlon
13:00 Start Junior male
15:00 Start Elite male