It completed a couple of good weeks for the the 18-year-old from Leeds. Earlier, he had found out he had got A grades in his mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology A-levels and won a place at Cambridge University to study medicine.

 

 

 

Brownlee was favoured to do well coming into the race after a third place finish only a few weeks ago at the European Triathlon Championships and performing well during the 2006 season.

 

In the sport for nine years, Brownlee said he had a forgettable 2005 World Championships. "Don't ask," he said. "I think it was 40th or something.''

 

Brownlee was 10 seconds down coming out of the swim but was able to join the lead group of 21 athletes early in the bike. With pre-race favourite American Steven Duplinsky, the current duathlon champion and reigning Junior world champion, 90 seconds back after the swim, the race was left wide open.

 

The large group on the bike included Brownlee as well as 18 others who worked well together over the hilly bike course to increase their lead coming into the second transition.

 

Onto the five kilometre run course, Brownlee immediately moved to the front of the group and never looked back finishing 13 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

 

"I thought I had a medal chance but I didn't expect this," said Brownlee. "I've been concentrating both on my training and my A Levels this year."

 

The men's and women's elite races, plus both under-23 events, are tomorrow.

 

Britain had two athletes in the top 10 in Lausanne, with Scotland's Ritchie Nicholls taking sixth place behind Brownlee.

 

The highest finisher of the British girls was Hollie Avil who came home in 11th place.