Brits prepare for Euro Champs

Alistair Brownlee eyes third European title as Brits descend on Kitzbuhel

Published: June 19, 2014 at 1:47 pm

Olympic Champ 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, Hollie Lawrence and Lois Rosindale complete the senior line up, whilst the juniors are listed below.

Paratri title defence

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.

The race will also see a multitude of age-group racing, with Britain’s all-conquering team looking to repeat the successes of Alanya, Athlone and Pontevedra in recent years.

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.

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

Image: Delly Carr