London 2012 gold medallist Alistair Brownlee won the World Triathlon Series event in Stockholm for the second time after fending off a strong challenge from younger brother Jonathan ©World Triathlon/Facebook

London 2012 gold medallist Alistair Brownlee won the World Triathlon Series (WTS) event in Stockholm for the second time after fending off a strong challenge from younger brother Jonathan.

The 28-year-old Briton was pushed all the way by his sibling but ultimately prevailed by a margin of 10 seconds with a time of 1 hour 50 min 33sec. 

With one kilometre to go, it was still unclear which of the Brownlee brothers would take the gold, but in a final last-ditch effort, Alistair moved ahead of Jonathan to cross the finish line first. 

Victory sees the Olympic champion recapture the title he won in 2013 and claim his second consecutive WTS success having triumphed on home soil in Leeds last month. 

"I felt good on the run, but then he started putting some digs in, but in first two kilometres I felt okay," said Alistair Brownlee.

"I knew that my legs were not sparkly and feeling really zoomy, but I just thought that if I could toughen it out on the last kilometre really hard, that would be my best chance.

"I feel that my overall triathlon performance has been good.

"I think I just need to run about a minute faster, which I think I can do in the next six weeks.

"If I can move my running on about that much I will be at my best, and that will be my best possible chance at winning another Olympic medal."

Bermuda's Flora Duffy came out on top in the women's race ©Flora Duffy/Twitter
Bermuda's Flora Duffy came out on top in the women's race ©Flora Duffy/Twitter

Two-time winner Jonathan Brownlee had to settle for silver on this occasion as France’s Pierre Le Corre took bronze in 1:51:30 to earn only the second WTS podium of his career.

The Brownlee brothers have now posted six one-two finishes at WTS events and have shared a WTS podium 11 times. 

Another strong performer on the day was Spain’s Fernando Alarza, who finished fifth to move above compatriot Mario Mola at the summit of the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings.

In the women’s race, Bermuda’s Flora Duffy secured the first WTS title of her career in a time of 2:03:38 to keep her top of the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings.

Taking a 25-second lead into the run, Duffy showed no sign of weakness in her legs and was able to surge on and maintain her advantage. 

The silver medal went to New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt, who earned her second WTS medal of the season after beating Britain’s Helen Jenkins in an uphill sprint finish. 

Hewitt finished in 2:03:58, eight seconds ahead of Jenkins, who had to settle for bronze.

"I have been trying and trying to win one of these and today when I was out there on the front of the bike I had no idea how it was going to play out," said Duffy. 

"I got off and felt strong on the run and just ran as best as I could, but obviously it is a bit scary with Helen and Andrea chasing me."