Brownlee set for Super League debut in Jersey

The Yorkshire-born global star, who has dominated triathlon headlines alongside older brother Alistair for the best part of the last decade, will be contesting a Super League event for the first time, having missed the trial event in Hamilton Island through injury.

And, despite a difficult 2017, which has been littered with injury and illness, the 27-year-old is excited about attempting an innovative form of the sport he loves.

‘Super League is great for the sport; it’s what the sport needs,’ he said. ‘It is a modernisation of the sport, if you like, making it short and fast and great to watch.

‘For me it’s good because I’ve been doing triathlon since I was six years old and I’ve been doing World Series triathlon for the best part of ten years – it is all very similar. Super League is something very, very different. I don’t know what to expect; that’s what I’m very excited about.

‘Even when I was packing my bags I was thinking “do I need any extra kit because I’m doing three triathlons in one day?” It’s new to me so I’m excited about that.’

Jonny finished sixth at the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Rotterdam on Sunday – ‘it’s not great,’ he concedes – but the Rio 2016 silver medallist is determined to rekindle his finest form at an event he believes will suit his style of racing.

‘It should suit me because I’m naturally quite fast,’ he continued. ‘Obviously the short distance helps that. I also recover quite well, which should help.

‘Also I like to think as a triathlete I have kind of no weakness. In Super League you need to be good at all three because there will be points where you are by yourself, you’re not in a group. Hopefully it will suit me but it’s been a bit of a strange year this year so I’m never quite sure what to expect.’

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