VICTORY in his home city almost rivalled winning Olympic gold for Alistair Brownlee as he laid down a marker for Rio.

The 28-year-old was in imperious form to pip brother – and fellow Bingley Harrier – Jonny once again as Leeds hosted a World Triathlon Series race for the first time.

The siblings helped design the course, which began with a 1.5 kilometre swim in Roundhay Park before a 41.5km bike and 10km run around the city centre.

More than 80,000 people lined the streets and the brothers received a rapturous reception as they pulled off the dream result.

Alistair, who won Olympic gold on home soil in London in 2012, said: "It was brilliant. By far the best crowds on the world series circuit. Not even close. I said the race in London was the highlight with great crowds and stuff but I think that came very close today."

It was the first time the brothers and world champion Javier Gomez, who split them on the podium in London, had all competed in the same race since 2014.

But Jonny managed to jump away from the Spaniard early on the bike leg to join the leading trio of Alistair, Australia's Aaron Royle and Aurelien Raphael of France, and by the time Gomez began the run he was more than two minutes down.

Alistair had only raced once in the world series since ankle surgery last year prior to Leeds but looked in superb form from the start and quickly dropped his brother on the run, with Royle finishing third.

It was the 28-year-old's first victory since he won Britain's round of the world series in Hyde Park last May and will surely make him favourite to retain his Olympic title.

Alistair was surprised by his own form having struggled since trailing home 36th in his last race in Australia.

He said: "I raced out of my skin today. Even coming out of T2 (second transition) I was fairly confident Jonny would beat me but I just got into my stride and felt good.

"The last six weeks have been some of the hardest of my career because I was in really good form and it's just been a struggle. It's fantastic to pull it off today."

Jonny was also bowled over by the huge crowds but frustrated with himself for an error going from the swim to the bike.

He said: "I'm an incredibly proud Yorkshireman. To have four or five people deep the whole way round the course was incredible.

"I had a great start in the swim but I really messed up in transition and that's where I really lost the race. I had to jump across and I wasted a lot of energy. But you're always going to struggle to beat Alistair when he's that good."

Gomez has dominated the sport since London, winning the world title the last three years, and the Spaniard is sure to be a factor in Rio.

He said: "The Brownlees were really strong. When they are fit I have no doubt they're the ones to beat.

"I'm happy for Alistair. When you don't race for some time and you struggle with injuries, it's good to come back strong. I think the sport needs athletes like him."