Defending champion Gómez and Jonathan arrived in the Canadian city sitting first and second respectively on the overall rankings and it appered a straight shoot-out between the two for the world crown.

In the penultimate race last week in Stockholm, Gómez dropped out midway through due to illness, allowing the younger Brownlee brother to claim his first win of the season ahead of Alistair to put himself in contention for a second World Series title.

Gómez was still feeling the effects of the stomach virus when he took to the line in Edmonton, but knew that all he had to do was stay close to his main rival to ensure a fourth World Championship title.

Slovakia's Richard Varga set off at an explosive pace in the swim leg and led coming out of the water, followed by South African Henri Schoeman and Alistair.

Gómez and Jonathan were part of a chasing pack that reeled in the leaders early in the bike race, before Olympic champion Alistair upped the tempo to pull away from the rest of the field, with Reinaldo Colucci of Brazil and Norway's Kristian Blummenfelt in hot pursuit.

Alistair held a lead of over a minute as he began the 10 kilometres run, as Spain's Mario Mola joined Jonathan and Gomez in the chase for the minor medals.

Gómez knew that if he stayed close to Jonathan Brownlee then the world title was his ©Getty Images



But Gómez knew that a solid finish would guarantee him the overall title and when Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jonathan began to fade in the closing stages, the title was his as he was left to battle with Mola for second spot.

Mola managed to edge ahead in the sprint or the line to take the silver medal as Gómez came home third, but with the knowledge that he had retained his status as the top dog in men's triathlon.

"It's just amazing, I remember my first international race in 2002," said the Spaniard whose wins in 2008, 2010 and last year, sees him join Britain's Simon Lessing on four World Championship titles.

"After 12 years now - four time world champion.

"I can't believe it.

"I knew I had to be with Jonny all the time.

"When Alistair broke away it was not my role.

"I just stayed there and saved energy for the run and tried to secure the world title."

Alistair Brownlee (right) claimed his second win of the season in Edmonton but brother Jonathan missed out on the world title ©Getty Images



Mola's late surge in Edmonton was enough to see him finish second overall on the World Series standings, while Jonathan dropped to third.

Alistair's win, in a time of 1 hour 48min 44sec, sees him finish just under 500 points behind his brother in fourth place.

"I went in with a plan to try and distance Jonny from Javier if possible and give him a shot at winning the world title," revealed the older Brownlee.

"That didn't work on the first couple of laps so then I just had a good go at it myself.

"I had that little break away and got very lucky."

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