He beat the defending champion, Javier Gomez, convincingly to claim the title that he has never previously won.

Brownlee had lost to the Spaniard, the 2008 world champion, in last year's event in Hoteln, Holland, but then went on to win the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series.

A stress fracture suffered during the winter meant he had been forced to delay his start to the season, meaning that it will be hard for him to retain his title, even though he won his comeback race in the World Series in Madrid last month.

Brownlee worked well with his younger brother, Jonathan, to cover a break early in the 1500 metres swim.

Gomez opened a lead at the front which was quickly erased to ensure both brothers made the front pack on the bike.

A group of five formed, and although one dropped back, it was never caught by the chasers.

Will Clarke featured at the front of the chase pack towards the end of the 40 kilometres bike section, but a gap of over 50 seconds had already formed.

On the run Alistair Brownlee made an immediate surge out of transition onto the 10km run that Gomez was unable to follow.

Jonathan Brownlee held on to third position for much of the first lap, but his hard work in the small pack on the extremely windy bike section put paid to his chances on the run.

Olly Freeman briefly moved up to third place but there were some strong runners behind.

He wound-up ninth with Will Clarke in 11th.
 
Brownlee said: "I’m absolutely delighted with that.

"We had a big Great Britain team and Johnny and I worked fantastically well together.

"I felt absolutely great and just went for it.

"I didn’t win last year and I can’t win the world title this year so this was really important to me.

"When I was injured earlier this year this was what I was aiming for.

"I think that is the biggest number of high fives I have ever done coming into the finishing straight."
 
Britain's head coach Joel Filliol said: "It was a fantastic performance by Alistair, he delivered on the day.

"He did it the hard way and showed he can ride at the front to win.

"I think he hurt Gomez on the bike and maybe that’s what made the difference on the run.

"Being European Champion was a significant milestone for Alistair and it was our highlight of the weekend.

"Lucy Chittenden yesterday was another great performance in the junior women’s race." 


Related stories
July 2010: Chittenden wins silver in junior race at ETU Championships
June 2010: Brilliant Brownlee caps comeback with sensational World Championship series victory
March 2010: You can keep Florida and South Africa, Yorkshire is where my heart is says Brownlee
March 2010: Brownlee waits on scan to find out when he can compete again
February 2010: British world champion Brownlee suffers stress fracture