Horsforth's Alistair Brownlee will step up his preparations for the Olympics with his first World Triathlon Series race of the season in Kitzbuhel this weekend.

The 24-year-old has not competed at elite level since winning his second world title in China in September after tearing his Achilles in February.

Brownlee feared his chances of competing in the Olympics in London this summer might be over but his recovery has gone well and he will hope to reassert his status as gold-medal favourite when he races on Sunday.

The Bingley Harrier has dominated the sport over the past three years, winning 11 of his 15 world series races and two world titles, and he is looking for his third victory in Kitzbuhel in four years.

Brownlee returned to racing two weeks ago at the Blenheim Triathlon but this will be his first race over the Olympic distance.

He said: “It was a big relief to race at Blenheim. I know I’ve got over my injury but you’re never sure how that step up to racing is going to go.

“Obviously it wasn’t really a very high-class field so it’ll be more relief when I get this race out of the way. That was one step on the road and hopefully this will be the next step.

“There’s always going to be nerves going into a race, especially when you haven’t raced at that level for nine months, and then the injury, but I think I’m getting there. I know I’m in pretty decent shape, I’ve just got to do the small things right.”

In Brownlee’s absence his younger brother Jonny has taken centre stage, winning races in San Diego and Madrid.

The pair live and train together in Bramhope, and Jonny’s performances have been a welcome boost for Alistair.

He said: “It’s good seeing Jonny going out there and racing because obviously I’m proud of him and it’s good to see him do it, and then when he comes back and he’s winning races I know I’ve got a bit of a level to compare myself to, and that’s important.”

Jonny enjoyed the opportunity to emerge from his brother’s shadow, but he knows his victories did not carry the same weight without Alistair there, while this weekend also sees the return of 2010 world champion Javier Gomez after illness.

Jonny said: “When Alistair wasn’t there it felt strange and I thought it was a shame but then I raced him in Blenheim and I thought to myself, ‘I don’t really want him back, it’s a lot nicer when he’s not there!’ “But it’s kind of back to normal now and I’m pleased about that. I’m looking forward to racing him and seeing how fit he is.

“I’ve started the season well, obviously my first two world series (races) I came first in both, but I haven’t really raced Javier or Alistair yet so that should tell me what level I’m actually at.”

Spaniard Gomez is likely to be the Brownlees’ main challenger for gold and silver in London, but he will need to step up his form from last year, when he was frequently left trailing in the brothers’ wake.

Gomez’ only high-profile race this season came at the European Championships, which he won in the absence of the Brownlees, and Jonny was keen to talk up the Spaniard.

He said: “There was a bit of a gap last year. The last time he beat me was a while ago and the same with Alistair but the gaps are so small and anything can happen.

"He’s a great athlete, he’s beaten me many times before and I’m sure he can beat me again.”

Stuart Hayes, who has been selected in the Olympic team to help the Brownlees, will also be in action in Kitzbuhel as will fellow Team GB member Vicky Holland, who competes in the women’s race tomorrow.