Brownlee brothers give Team GB strong triathlon medal chances

After a winning return to action in a Kitzbuehel World Series race back in June, Alistair Brownlee finds himself odds-on favourite to land the men’s triathlon at 4/7.

Brownlee, who suffered an Achilles tendon tear in February, initially feared missing out on this summer’s Olympics, but his performance in Austria signified a return to full fitness.

The 24-year-old overcame his younger brother Jonny in that race, and is favoured to do so again, with the more juvenile sibling of the pair afforded an 11/4 price to triumph at London 2012.

It would seem as though each have tremendous chances of making the podium for Team GB, as demonstrated by their respective pedigree and stature within the event.

Alistair Brownlee is a two-time world champion, having achieved the accolade in 2009 and 2011, and the aforementioned winning performance on his return in June signifies he is worthy of gold medal favouritism.

Meanwhile Jonny, 22, finished second only to his brother in a bid to be world champion last year, and he showed his class during his brother’s recent injury-enforced absence by triumphing in San Diego and Madrid outings.

Stuart Hayes makes up the Team GB contingent for the Olympics race meanwhile, though his monster 100/1 odds are indicative that he is selected mainly due to his speed on the bike.

Hayes’ importance to the brothers’ chances should not be underestimated however, as outlined by Jonny Brownlee in the aftermath of their last race.

He told BBC Sport: “Stu Hayes was really important today. If we didn’t have him it would have been much, much harder. He allowed us to rest, kept the pace high so nobody could get away, and if it wasn’t for that we’d have had to keep on working.”

Brownlee’s praise was reciprocated by Hayes meanwhile, who stated: “These guys are above the rest, nobody’s going to get near them,” with regards to the brother’s chances of Olympic success.

All things considered, it would certainly appear that patriotic punters can get a good run for their money by backing the Brownlee brothers to impress for Team GB in the men’s triathlon event.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.