Semi-Final: Castleford v Leeds Rugby League: Challenge Cup

Good afternoon and welcome to a sunny but rather windy Hyde Park

and the Dextro Energy London triathlon. A sport which is the

ultimate test in stamina, strength and skill. This race is a big one.

The world's top triathlete have made sure they are here because

this weekend is a test event for London 2012. The proposed course

for the event at next day's Olympic Games and a stunning setting it is

as well. We have got a great crowd going on here. One hour before the

name men's grace. Hello, crowd! You are live on BBC Two! Britain's top

female triathlete is Helen Jenkins. She was world champion in 2008. She

has come third in the past two years but if you were in any doubt

help fit a triathlete has to be, look at this.

This is heaven suffering a heavy crash in April -- Helen. She got up

to finish the race. Since then, her season has really, really

Everything has been going really well. My training has been going

well, I am really happy with my last two races. It has given me a

bit of confidence heading into this weekend. I have always liked the

course in Madrid, we have had some bad races there but most of them

have been really good. I did not have a great swimmer but

I really worked hard on the bike and then run and had one of the

best runs I have ever had. I think I ran almost a minute faster than I

have ever done on that course Kitzbuhel well is a lovely place,

it is always a bit colder, so I am Myself and Sarah Hoskins got away

on a bike and I was hoping she would stay with me for the ride but

I got caught so I wasn't sure how I would feel. Heading on to the rent

after all that work in my legs. My hamstrings were really tight, I

If it peters out at the beginning and then it is me and Paula Findlay

at the beginning. It is a small margin, four seconds over a two are

raised, that is not much but in both races, I gave everything I

could and I know there is nothing else I could have done, just hope

This is a massive event, the Olympic test event. The setting is

amazing. I think doing the full Olympic course, going in front of

Buckingham Palace, it will be really interesting to see how it is

different. The atmosphere has been great for the past two years. The

course isn't a massively challenging, it is pretty flat, I

would like it if they would build some holes, that would make it

interesting. I could qualify for the Olympics this week and, if I do

not, at there are more chances like in Beijing but I want to do it this

weekend, get on the podium and make the Olympic team.

SONALI SHAH: Qualifying for the Olympics is going to be on the mind

of so many athletes here this weekend but it is a gruelling sport

and anything can happen. And one man who knows exactly what it is

like taking part in a triathlon at the highest level is Richard

stamens. Let's talk about Helen Jenkins. Three years on at the age

of 27, it feels like she is coming into her own and reaching a peak at

the right time. Absolutely, she has totally matured as an athlete. She

suffered some injuries but she is working on them and she is working

in the gym, making herself solid. Hopefully today another great

result. She has already been on the podium this year, that is crucial.

It is required as part of qualifications. Who is her main

competition in the series? You have got the three Emmas, from Australia.

They have already got a try factor. All three of them on the podium.

They will look to dominate, they will not necessarily work as a team

because they want to beat each other but that only makes the other

one go harder. Definitely Australians but other nations as

well but have got qualifications in this race to try to get to London

2012 and I think they will see Americans, Canadians, all of them

having a good. We were here yesterday as well, the crowd is

already screening for the athletes running. The atmosphere is so great

with only one year to go until the Olympic Games as well. Yes, it is a

showcase. It really shows London off but by going down to London and

Buckingham Palace, it is a spectacle. And everybody wants to

come down and soak up the atmosphere and get as close to the

athletes as possible. The triathlon is one of the few events that you

don't need a ticket for. Come down next year to watch the race for

free. Graham Bell has got your back as well, he has been out scouting

out the best vantage points for the It all starts here at the

Serpentine, the curving lake in the heart of Hyde Park. It might get a

bit busy here at the start so if you fancy something more tranquil,

you can come here to the south side of the late to take some tea or if

you're feeling brave, have a dip in the Serpentine Lido. The water is

bound to be warmer than on Christmas Day, that is when the

Peter Pan dip takes place. Once out of the water, it is on to the bikes.

It is a flat course but with all the turns and speed bumps, it is

technically demanding. They will then cross the Serpentine Bridge,

heading towards the south of Hyde Park. the Serpentine Gallery will

be opening a new space in time for the London Games. You can then

either feast your eyes on the opulence of the Albert Memorial or

keep your eyes peeled for the athletes as they head down to Hyde

Park Corner. There they pose the imposing

Wellington Arch and then just a short sprint down Constitution Hill

to the grandest of them all, Buckingham Palace. After that they

turn back and raced towards the park, for 7 like laps in all. Then

they will go on the run, knowing they are only four laps from the

end of the race. A great place to see them is here at Rotten Row, it

is a big U-turn towards the lake. This place might be called Rotten

but it is anything but. 150 years ago, this is where Londoners came

to promenade. It is a place to be seen back then. As they head

towards the Serpentine, you can relax by the Diana memorial

fountain. It was opened in 2004 at a cost of �3.6 million. If you are

not one of the lucky people in the grandstand, you could stand here,

right on the finishing straight and cheer the athletes as they sprint

towards the line. It is an ideal position and most importantly, it

The spectators really well how fantastic access to all the

athletes and watching them perform next year at the Olympic Games.

absolutely, and the course is so close to the athlete. Behind me, we

can see Simon Whitfield, Olympic Games in Sydney champion, just

preparing for the race. He is getting ready. You are literally on

top of the race. It is pretty unique in that aspect. It is the

last time they can test themselves properly on the Olympic course as

well, what will they try to learn? It will give them visualisation.

They will be able to learn the race for next year, that is so important.

As they prepare for the Olympic race, they can visualise what went

on today and use that to inspire them and hopefully motivate them to

train that bit harder. Who does this course sit? Pretty much anyone

because it is not a hard course, the topography is such that you

have got a technical course in terms of Benn's but you have not

got hills, -- bends. What kind of tactics will afflict be thinking of

as they go round the course? They will try to conserve their energy

and this win is a lottery. A lot of the time it is won on the run.

the race is won on the run. You can set yourself up with a good swim

and bike and that is what they will be trying to do. Those with the

strength in the front end of the race will look through the bends

and through Marble Arch and Constitution Hill and try to attack.

Stuart Hayes is the man to concentrate on that. So many people

will be thinking about team GB and Olympic qualification, and team GB

is talking about using the equivalent of... Do you think that

team GB will use the domestics? lot of things have to take place,

that will allow the selectors to take place. It is an option and we

should not rule it out and we as in other countries use it, for example

in Athens. It is a possibility but I do not think we have passing that,

we have got the brothers Brownlees, they know what each other are doing.

With that in place, the team will gel well. The women is a different

side. We have got Helen Jenkins, the only podium finish this year,

she is dominant. They may look to was that angle that we have got a

long way to go in the selection process. Wouldn't it be good to see

someone who would be willing to sacrifice a medal? The yes, but at

the same time a lot of things happen, in terms of making the

podium and in Beijing, the final in a few weeks' time, it opens the

door to athlete. You would think there would be a sit down

conversation if people were willing to sacrifice medals. We are talking

a lot about Olympic qualification that this rise is also part of the

ITU World Championship series which has a seven-race battle, with the

final in Beijing. That is next month. Your best four results count

towards the World Championship and a lot of athletes have not really

shown their hand at the moment. Barbara Riveros Diaz leads the way

after a solid but rather unspectacular season. Paula Findlay

came to prominence here in Hyde Park and has three wins but is

suffering from a head injury. And suffering from a head injury. And

Helen Jenkins with two second places, she is currently in six.

Your commentators for the women's race are Matt Chilton and Steve

COMMENTATOR: They are ready for the start here, Paul Findlay, the big

favourite for this race. They did not race in Yokohama in Japan

following the earthquake and That is the seen here in Hyde Park,

they are way! 67 elite women triathletes diving into the

Serpentine. To begin this Olympic test event. The real thing in a

year from now. That will be the Olympic medal days here in Hyde

Park and for the first time they are heading out of the park and

into the streets and onto the streets of London, taking in some

of the sites of this part of the world. Already they are beginning

to spread. Just one single lap swim, last year they got out of the water

and run along the pontoon and died staying in the water for the entire

1.5 kilometres swim. Already two distinct groups beginning to form.

Interesting there, Emma Moffatt on the nearside has really gone for it.

What is critical on this no wet suits when, it will be very

difficult to get away -- a no-wet suit swim. It will be a huge

advantage... Every single one of these athletes is going to be

looking for selection for their countries next year and they will

put themselves on the line today. Emma Moffatt has really gone for it.

And I know the Swiss athlete who has had a leg injury, and Laura

Bennett she has been going on forever, she has got a case full of

medals at home. She is in the best form of her life. But is fantastic.

Spectacular scene and an early start for the women because of the

problem with the road closures in London. The men will start and the

afternoon for their race. The water temperature pretty cold in the

water. Serpentine Lido open here as well, but no swimming during the

past few weeks because of the oxygen levels. It was worrying for

the fish stocks, they had to treat the water. Apparently oxygen levels

are restored to a normal level now. Swimming has been allowed to resume

for the recreational swimmers and In the opening section, just to

remind you, 1,500m in the water. A 40, touch cycle, that involves

seven laps around the park and streets of London -- 40 kilometres.

There was a hint that Paula Findlay had gone early. It was touch and go.

If she did go early, all of the others followed have. Ramires the

us making a good start. -- Roddy Now the change in direction. A

different layout for the swimming course this year because of the one

lap stipulation, which is what they want to use in the Olympics. You

can see the Serpentine Bridge. The crowd gathered. And a lot of argy-

bargy, those that choose to go tight around the inflatable boys,

there are a lot of flying elbows. People scramble for position in the

water of the Serpentine. The Serpentine was the centrepiece for

the celebrations in London in 1814 for the British victory at the

Battle of Trafalgar. There are if you battles going on out there as

they come around there. Do first sight of Helen Jenkins there. She

has had a bit of the at breathing problem. It might be a -- a bit of

a spiritual problem, it might be likely to affect her confidence.

She is a previous world champion when nobody expected it. She loves

the tough conditions. The conditions here today are very

pleasant, very little wind, just under 22 degrees in the water and

Helen needs to be up there. She just days to close that gap a

little bit more on Laura Bennett and Sarah Haskins. With their wet

suits, this transition should be lightning-fast. -- no wet suits.

should be lightning-fast, they have nothing to think about other than

getting on their bikes. You are looking at about 30 people and then

there is a break. If you don't get into the first group, you won't

make it back. It will be difficult to get back on and I am very

surprised there is such a big group coming out of the water together

right now. And then the final sprint, the

first out of the water equals the first on to the bike for the 40, to

his bike circuit. They will exit the park for the first time -- a 40

kilometres. Her but the public will have to get used to it many times

in they have next 12 months or so, there will be of many road closures.

The swimming at the 2012 Olympics will also take place in the

Serpentine, so it won't just be the triathlon. The open-water swimming

matter and -- marathon also taking place. Approaching 90 minutes and

approaching the steps and the run to transition -- 19. There will be

a group of seven or eight are bunched together as they come to

the steps to take them out of the the steps to take them out of the

Lots of British interest here. Helen Jenkins is right up there,

get their helmets on. The bikes are pushed to the white line. Then they

can get on and they Exeter the blue carpet out on to the gravel. --

exit. At group of a 30 potential riders in the first group. A few of

the stragglers coming out but it is not too late. Two groups will form,

it is likely they will come together to form one large peloton

and they will all right together and form a spectacular sight

through the park and out on the streets of London. Look at this,

the series leader is just getting into transition now. How have is

that affected by not having a wet suit? -- how will affected. That

has but Barbara quite a way back down. They are on their way. Of 40

kilometres. They begin in the park and they also exit the park, down

constitution Hill, bisecting Green Park, down towards Buckingham

Palace. A group of 30 also riders form in the peloton at the front of

the field. I was hoping we would see a breakaway group. 30 is a lot

of people and it is very difficult to get a group identity working

through. We will see the athletes testing everybody else out. Is

there anybody willing to come with me, and if you are, are you

prepared to really work hard so we can try and break the field down?

That is the scene in the park below us on the right. Sarah Haskins is

just one a second clear of Sarah Groff. -- one second. Helen Jenkins

is right up there, as is the Vicky Holland, and Jodie Stimpson. Lots

of a British interest. -- lot of British interest. The British

athletes are working at the front. Alan Jenkins is telling them to get

to the front, let's do some work -- have visited London. We go round on

a little loop in this part of the city where the road has been closed.

Imagine the scene one year from now. This is a free event, there is no

tickets required, anybody can come and watch on the streets of London.

It is the first time they have been down here and tested the section of

the course were the roads closed to traffic. We got our first glimpse

of Paula Findlay there sitting happily on the back of the pack.

The early attempts to make a break don't seem to have materialised. I

think we will see more of that. The British athletes and the Australia

athletes, Emma Moffatt in particular, very happy to work but

will not do it by themselves. We will see some breaks going through

but whether they can stay at the front, it is difficult. But we have

somebody going for it here. Carey Lang. The -- Kerry. She is putting

a marker down. She is saying, let's have a go for this, let's see if we

can break away and get rid of some of the people who may be looking to

run us down. Nobody going with her at the moment, nobody accepting

that challenge. Very early to be going for it, very brave. Quite a

big group here. What is the motivation for actually working on

the front? There is a big motivation because there is a pack

behind that contain some really good runners, so it even though

some are not up in their best running form, they need to push on

and make sure that gap from the second group grows. Is anybody in

their working has domestic takes? It could be Lang at the front.

as domestiques. She is not the best runner, carried. She isn't, but she

is a good cyclist. Unfortunately, her running does let her down.

This is Paula Findlay, dominant this year, the winner in Sydney, in

Kitzbuehel. She has had a problem with her hip in the last few days.

We will see if that affect so. -- affects her. You'll see the

athletes through and past the transition in a very short time.

Morrison of the Republic of Ireland at the back of the group. I think

the reflection on their pace of the bikes, I think she was quite a long

way down in the swim, and she has taken it all back on the first lap

of the bikes. A very strong runner as well, we have seen that. That is

the leading a group of four stop back into the beauty of Hyde Park -

- that is the leading group of. They can take the applause from the

grandstand as they complete the first lap of seven on this bike.

would be interested to get a time check on that. We are getting the

general confirmations coming up on the screen. Nicola is there, she

has been working hard on her swimming. Anja Dittmer is still

there, Jessica Harrison. Emma Snowsill is still there. We will

check on how many are in that group. We think it is around 35, 40. 32,

in fact, is the total number in this leading group. Again, I think

if we hark back to the swim, we saw just how hard it was. If we broke

this field in half, it is way over 30 seconds. Their pack are trying

to get themselves a way, they have to close this gap a very early. So

many of the athletes at the front, if they do work hard, they will put

a significant a matter of time into the chases. 30 seconds is the

difference between the first group of 32 and the chasing pack of six,

who are then followed by another dozen. Those two will almost

certainly form a hunting pack of 18 attempting to try and bridge the

gap to the leading pack of 32. They are in one of the smartest parts of

London. You can see the Government close by, you can see the Palace,

the primary residence of the Queen. Originally known as Buckingham

House. The original building was a large town house built for the Duke

of Buckingham. The largest private garden in London. The East front

contains that famous balcony on which the royal family judicially

congregate. The -- traditionally. Of bought by George the Third as a

private retreat for his wife Queen Charlotte, who had 15 children, 14

of which were born in Buckingham Palace. I have seen a move by

Jessica Harrison, looking to get off the front. Fredriksen is

closing with her. Again, it does not look like a sustained attack at

all. There is the standings leader, Barbara Riveros Diaz. She has and

run a race -- have won a race this season but she has been consistent.

And 98 clear of Paula Findlay of Canada, who has won the three races,

but didn't take part in Hamburg in mid-July. They go under the archway,

the Wellington Arch. What a backdrop that is, the statue on top

is very impressive. A chariot come up with the three horses at the

front and a winged figure on top of. Built between 1826 and 1830,

designed by TSMS Burton, responsible for a lot of

spectacular architecture we see this part of London. The chasing

group there are just under one minute behind. The distance has

concerted effort for this group to get back up there? It is the only

way they will get involved in the prize money today. The gap is

around 50 seconds or so, with the leading group and the chasers. The

leaders, with Svenja Bazlen of Germany taking her time at the

front. They will have been given a wake-up call, having seen the

distance between this front peloton and the chasing group. Time for a

bit of energy. Spirig, are also taking her opportunity. And Anne

Laing -- and Kerry Lan has decided there has been enough hanging about.

That is her third effort, so the energy expended on that, she hasn't

managed to get away but nobody has matched and gone with her. Time is

beginning to run out for those people who do want to try and make

that break. Backward the chase group. -- back with. They have

reduced the deficit by five or six seconds during the last lap. They

now need to go again. They need to put some further pace into their

efforts to bridge the gap between catching slowly, they are catching

up. The second pack are working really well because we saw when

they were on the first lap of the bike, it was a one-minute gap but

now it is 30 seconds, so that his great work from the second pack.

That will take it out of them, Willetts had them on the run?

There's a few that are on the front view of London across the River

Thames. A trio of British triathlete at the front of the

field. Jenkins, Kerry Lang and significantly. The pace has really

is off. You can say that two groups are about to become one huge pack.

The leading group really eased off over the final section of that

penultimate lap and now the leaders... Look at the group we

have got here. There must be at the seat of government in Great

Britain, Westminster Abbey on the right. The venue of the recent

Royal Wedding. There's the London Eye, on the South Bank of the River

Thames. They are the top of Constitution Hill for the final

time. One of the smartest parts of London, Park Lane leading to Hyde

Park Corner with the Ritz hotel not far away at the Dorchester Hotel,

plenty of other high-class establishments in the vicinity.

They will be back into Hyde Park, through the gates for the final

time and then they will start to prepare for the arrival in

transition. Look at that now, the jockeying for position. A single

line now with less than one kilometre or a go, everybody

sprinting around the edges. We see the hands and fingers going down,

loosening in the FT and the shoes, the bare feet on top of the issues,

the issues still clipped into the paddles. They want to get out. They

may lose around 15, 20 seconds which is a long way going into the

run. A couple of hundred metres to go until transition, a group of 60

or so riders locked together in combat here. Just biding their time,

some looking for some daylight over on the Ryders' right of the track.

This could be spectacular. It could also be very chaotic with such a

massive group coming in to hang up their bikes. There is a disbarred

line. The leaders are there. They are getting off the back. They have

rehearsed this. Lisa Norden in first. She will look for the place

where she has to place the bike. Lisa Simpson, the first of the

British riders, Helen Jenkins is through as well, she will be

looking for a fast, effective transition. Sarah Haskins is

through, and there's Emma Moffatt, the Olympic bronze medallist, she

is on her way out. In it has turned into a running race. My money is on

an Australian called Emma. There's 3 m as to look on. -- Emmas. One of

them has got a huge confidence going into this race and also Paula

Findlay, we know she has had a few injury niggles but she is world

class. She is in with a great involved at the start of the lead

group, that makes things very interesting. Helen Jenkins of Great

Britain on the right of the screen, Emma Moffatt of Australia on the

left. Jodie Stimpson just behind her. It is wide-open here. Nicola

Spirig is there as well. She has been injured and running and

swimming a lot, general fitness is very, very good but I think she has

done an awful lot to get out there with Emma Moffatt. A big group out

there with contention. We will see a big dropping off, I am sure.

These have no bearing on what will happen with so many good runners.

It is wide open here in Hyde Park and it is beginning to spread, that

gives you an idea of the gap between the leading group which is

now down to around 12 with a gap of about 10 metres to the next five.

But the stretch beginning, I think that lead group of the 17 will be

coming down one by one as the sheer pace of the run will force them off

the back. Emma Snowsill has been left, a kick at the beginning of

the field while we were watching the chases, a group of two or three

started to inject some pace into the race. You can see there are

free. I think Jenkins and Jodie Stimpson and Jackson are there and

one other. That is certainly Jackson in 4th place. Let's check

through, that is Helen Jenkins leading through. Helen Jenkins,

Jodie Stimpson... A Emma Jackson, and the Japanese runner. Paula

British woman has won in Hyde Park. Jodie Stimpson is on good form,

Jenkins has come third. Ai Ueda of Japan has joined the leading

quartet. That also includes Emma Jackson. We have a break away group,

things really hotting up in the park. Be gathered by Helen Jenkins.

He wants to get away from Paula Findlay. -- big effort by Paula

Helen Jenkins. Jodie Stimpson looks up, she has got to cover... Emma

Moffatt really falling behind there. Along with Paula Findlay. Those two,

we know Paul Findlay -- Paula Findlay we know she's having injury

problems. Helen is looking good. She is looking outstanding. Without

Paula Findlay been on form, it has got to beat Helen's grace. Helen

and Paula have battled it out in the past two World Championship

Series races. We know that Paul has been injured so a very good chance

that it is Helen's day today. COMMENTATOR: They are halfway

through the run. Five kilometres Dan, five kilometres to go and the

leader is Helen Jenkins from Great Britain. For twice a third here in

the past and an hour and 43 minutes of swimming, biking and running

with five kilometres still to go. Jodie Stimpson has been dropped

down to around 6th position now. With a significant move being made

by an your -- Anja Dittmer. We are just seeing a clear gap for the

first time now. Alan Jenkins is not giving it at all and nor is Emma

Jackson, she is chasing it through but the five-second gap may be up

to eight seconds now. We must be closing in on around four

kilometres to go but they have just drawn away from everybody else.

Anja Dittmer she started relatively comfortably on the run and just

beginning to break through but the first two, the leaders, really are

getting a significant gap on the rest of the field. A shot over the

Serpentine Bridge shows you the lead that Helen Jenkins has over

her next-best rival, formerly Helen Tucker. Third twice on the podium

here in London but never Victoria's. Possibly today. -- never victorious.

Emma... Jackson beginning to lose her way. There she is with the end

in sight, Helen Jenkins and the crowd beginning to show their

appreciation. She has got a huge advantage now. Will it be enough to

see her through this final lap? She has swum solidly. Now she leads

with one lap to go. Look how easy it is for Helen Jenkins with 1.5

kilometres to race, she is full of running. Enjoying this moment now.

She can sense success at last in Hyde Park having twice finished in

third position. Today, the victory is theirs. She will look over cross

the like on the far side of the Serpentine from our commentary

position. Going away from us but she will cross again and head back

towards the blue carpet and the finishing line and fingers crossed,

victory just a few minutes from now. Helen Jenkins leading the way still

in Hyde Park and the battle for second and third continues.

hammer went down there, didn't it? She opened the gap, Emma Jackson

had gone back into the group, may be a bit of a second wind for Emma

Jackson, the two Americans, Emma Snowsill fighting her way through

and up now with Anja Dittmer, look at that. Helen Jenkins with about

one kilometre to go. She looks so strong. Absolutely focused. Who is

that in second place? That is... think that is when of America Gwen.

That gives her selection. The Union flags are flying proudly in Hyde

Park. Helen Jenkins has run an heroic race in the park today and

has kicked away with fantastic timing. Jenkins will win in Hyde

Park and will win comfortably. A massive margin, she has picked up

her fight, she is beginning to celebrate. Jenkins cruising home

now and starting to appreciate and savour the victory. Jenkins wins in

Hyde Park, just over two hours, her time. What a win for her. Helen

Jenkins, twice third in the pack wins today with America in second

place and it is Anja Dittmer of Germany who comes in in third place.

Jackson just pipping Emma Snowsill, the third Australians in 4th and

5th. But from a British perspective, it is all about Helen Jenkins who

has come close twice in the past but with one year to go as the

Olympic countdown continues, Helen Jenkins is at the top of the table

in Hyde Park. She will return as one of the favourites, fitness

permitting, in 12 months from now to go for Olympic glory and gold.

Helen Jenkins steps up to the highest point of the podium to

accept her gold medal today. Will she be on the Olympic podium in 12

months from now? Picking up an A day that Helen Jenkins will never

forget. And I took it really easy, trying to get rid of the cold and I

wasn't sure I could pull it out today, but the crowd were fantastic.

They were so good shouting for me. I was shaking for you, everyone was.

Ahmad last lap, I thought I was going to blow up. I was pushing

right till the end. Better are so hard. There did you think coming

into today, you would have such a big lead on a lap? Her idea that if

it all went my way I could when, but I felt awful on the bike -- I

had an idea. The first lap of the run, I was not sure. Then I got the

lead and my husband was screaming at me, just keep going. We have

done training sessions together and, so I was just used to him yelling

at me to go faster. It is a real, it is a huge honour, I can only

credit my coaches, my team-mates have helped me out as well.

wasn't sure if I still had it in me because I am not of the youngest

any more but I have lots of experience, and I don't know, I

just pulled it together on the day when it counted the most this year,

and I am just so happy. Happy with your performance today? Yes, apart

from the last five killermacro, but everything else was moving in the

right direction. --kilometre. what a joy impression of the

course? It is phenomenal, but the spectators make this course and

every year it gets better and today top it as well. I was running

around Buckingham Palace, and a half of the people there were going,

what was going on? You we have got Javier Gomez just setting up his

transition spot. In -- we have got Javier Gomez.

Richard, it was great to see the British winner at Hyde Park a year

before the Olympics. It you couldn't ask for a better result.

That is what we wanted to see. Helen was certainly after that. But

she has come third twice and now she gets the wind while but said,

it is the best preparation. -- she gets the wind this time out.

she is not a big fan of the course, but she showed that it suits their.

She struck out there in the run and stayed there. -- suits have.

said in interview she wasn't feeling well, if that is how on a

bad day, I look forward to seeing how in 12 months. They she said it

really had. It is always going to. It might be hurting during the race

but when you crossed the line, you forget about the pain. Obviously

there was something wrong but even on a bad day, she is a win a four-

star she fits the qualification criteria for the Olympics. -- she

is a winner. She fits the qualification criteria. They put

people forward at the end of September and Helen will be one of

those people. If there are no more podiums in Beijing, they may not

put anyone else forward. But Helen is almost certainly going to go to

the Olympics. Of but we cannot categorically say that until the

end of June next year, and tear goes forward in front of the

National Committee. We will have to wait until that period where there

are three names for the event going forward and they are accepted.

are going to be the girls getting under way of Helen next year? Paula

Findlay wasn't have to fit. If we look back at the last Olympic Games,

it could be anyone. If he -- Paula Findlay wasn't to fit. There wasn't

a bad back but there were a couple of contenders, but if we are going

to form, it could be anyone. Helen has certainly set herself up

brilliantly, but the Australians, Emma Moffatt and Emma Snowsill, and

a host of other athletes. So it will be interesting to see what

happens, who comes out. Paula Findlay from Canada, not on form at

the moment with an injury but she has so she can win. If you are

Helen, how would you spend your winter so you know you are at your

best? The pressure is off have. She has done all she can do to get in

the team, -- off her. She will be selected, it is pretty much 99%.

She is now focused on staying in the best shape that she can, the

best shape she can for the next 12 months. I spoke to her husband and

his words were that she is bullet proof in the gym. So she is in

their everyday, looking after that body and keeping all of the muscles

working, -- there. That will reduce the chances of injury and she will

work harder this winter and going to the Olympic year in the best

shape. There are the other British girls who could get an Olympic

sport? We are looking at Jodie Stimpson, she is on the way up. She

ran a race a week ago, Olympic distance, she won that race and she

has backed it up with 14th on the Olympic course. She is really

stating her case. But to be honest, the criteria as such, she needs to

get on the podium. That is the case for all of the goals. They have to

get on the podium at the World Championship race. That will put

them in contention. If a British win has but -- inspired you to get

into the water, here is how you can get involved.

Kerman. The big splash, everyone is doing good. To find out more, busy

at the BBC website. It is not every day you see George Alagiah in

goggles, and not every day that world champions and gold medal

hopes have to sit opposite their main rivals get the breakfast table,

but that is beat Beal at the Brownlee home. The last time we saw

them here, we witnessed a very different story. Johne was

sprinting have out of the shadow of his brother, and Alastair falling

away. They have spent the last winter taking stock.

Javier Gomez wins the London triathlon. Jonathan Brownlee has

come past his brother do takes second. What has happened to

Alistair Brownlee? I had no memory until I woke up on the bed. Of I

had no -- a shocking day. Terrible side, Alistair Brownlee gave it

absolutely everything and more. Just a bit wary now, because I know

you can be as fit as you can be and a tiny thing goes wrong on the day

and it has massive consequences. The brothers preparations began in

November, heading to Lanzarote. It may have been a sunbathing weather,

but there was little time for preparation and rest. It is quite

windy, it doesn't feel heart. It feels nice. -- hot. One of the best

things about being here is it doesn't get dark before 4pm. It is

nice having a bit more daylight. But by the new year, there was no

escaping the British climate. have got to learn to adapt to the

conditions. You get the training in Bucher don't worry about making it

too hard for yourself, it is counter-productive -- but you don't

worry. A persistent ankle injury was hampering his training and

affecting his mental preparation. It is do not knowing that is the

worst part, you don't know what the injury is. Once you know what it is

and how to Hewitt, it is getting all right. Alistair Brownlee was

still the man to beat but it was clear his brother was a quiet be

confident of a strong year to come. He was the world champion in 2009,

he keeps on improving but I have to believe I can beat him. Belief can

take you long way. At the opening World Championship Series event in

Sydney, Jonathan had a very good day. Unlike his brother. In the

race, everything seemed to go wrong. I punctured at the end of the bike.

I got around the run and I fell over and I thought, can anything

else go wrong? Jonathan came in second in Sydney behind reigning

world champion Javier Gomez. It would be the Template for his year.

Sydney was absolutely shocking. After that, it picked up of. I one

in Madrid and Jonathan was second. -- I won. Alistair Brownlee will

take victory for the second time here in his career. I seem to

always be second. At I will start their World Series, I have gone up

to number 55, and that I would say goodbye to him and say I will see

you down the line, but now I am getting used to be rain to bid

higher. I am really pleased with my season so far -- to be in the ranks

for a bit higher. Spain was the backdrop for the European

Championships. It would be the final chance for the brothers to

assess their form before London. And it was good. Despite a puncture,

Alistair Brownlee dragged himself back into contention thanks to some

Tour de France style orders and some brotherly love. Another family

one, two, with Javier Gomez way After their Spanish adventure, it

was time to sample the restoring air of the Swiss Alps. It is a

really nice place to train at this time of year. It is altitude as

well, which is important. It hopefully get she that bit fitter.

But the training camp was hopefully at -- as much about attitude as

altitude. With the chances of Olympic qualification grown nearer,

this was a time to reflect and focus on what would be needed for a

year a head. Every race we have done since Sydney was break

complete success, so I think we are learning more and more about how to

train and how to recover and get ready for races. It is something we

have both got a lot better at. Preparing for races and being at

your best on race day. Alistair Brownlee has such a

fantastic record in the series so far. He has won nine out of the 12

races he has competed in. It is amazing, an outstanding record. The

other athletes are looking at him. He has had a couple of hiccups, one

of them being here last year when a stomach upset caused him to fade in

the last kilometre of the race. But he is a force to be reckoned with.

And there isn't just one of them, there is two of them, and that is

the scariest thing for the rest of the world. You are taking on one

and then another pops up. John of them came second here last year, it

feels like he is coming into his own -- Jonathan. It is because they

train together, and that is unique in triathlon. I can't think of any

other siblings that have worked it together quite like this. They feed

off each other. Rather than being a hindrance, it is a help of. They

are almost communicating telepathic Kate. They know what the other is

doing. -- Papa thickly. We saw it at the European Championships.

then Alastair went and beat Jonathan into first place! They

probably sat and greed that once they got to the bike ride, it is a

free for all -- agreed. I think what we will see other the next

year's is Alistair Brownlee dominating but Jonathan coming up

to him. Bash over the next year's. We could have a great scenario for

the British team where both of them are going head to head. It is the

unique dynamic but you think that Jonathan is almost sacrificing

himself to help his brother? You think he will start winning on his

own? They are going to look to help each other. Alistair Brownlee will

help Jonathan Brownlee and vice versa. When a third British person

gets into the men's team, I think they will work as a team naturally.

They are so close that the next member of the team will just have

to gel and work with that. Britain has such a strong field in the

men's triathlon. Why has Team GB failed to convert the success in

the World Championships in to the Olympic medals? There is a

statistic out there that Great Britain are one of the strongest if

not the strongest a major go back to World Championships, at any

distance or any age group within this sport. We haven't converted

that to it at a Olympic medal yet. The elusive Olympic medal. It is

not something that you can easily prepare for. We had a great result,

the finishing 6th, but it has never gone to form, apart from that one

Emma Snowsill victory. The other medal seemed to have come from

nowhere and you are not quite sure what is going to happen. That is

the thing about the Olympics. Hopefully this time, it will be the

exception proving the rule, but the Brownlee brothers getting on the

podium. They are the stars of the British triathlon but they are not

guaranteed success today. There are a lot of other names to watch out

Don Tim Don is the old man of the British team but it is too early to

write off the 2006 champion. still love the sport, and I would

love my daughter to come and watch me next year in 2012 and tell their

grandchildren that her dad was an Olympian.

Triathlon's Mr consistent over the last five years and they've

reigning world champion, Javier Gomez of is the Brown the brothers

strongest competition. A grinder rather than a sprinter, watching

try and break the field early on. - - watch him. Everybody is motivated,

all of the athletes are trying to do their best here. It is going to

be an interesting race. The it has been a breakthrough here

for Great Britain's William Clarke. He secured his first world senior

series podium place in Hamburg. have got probably the hardest team

in the world to qualify, so I am trying to try my hardest and try

and get prepared enough and will hopefully produce a good

performance. The German was a surprise when at

the Beijing Games but he is no one- My motivation is unparalleled and I

think that is my biggest advantage. SONALI SHAH: And make it about five

minutes to go until the race. We have seen will Clarke and the

Brownlee brothers make their way down the transition area to go on

to the pontoon for the start of the race, what will be going through

their heads? They are focused solely on what they are doing. A

massive cheer went up for both will Clarke and the Brownlee brothers.

If that was this year, what will it be like next year?! We have got 10

dom walking down, he looks pensive, he wants to race faster -- we have

got Tim Don coming down. They have been into the warm-up already so

they have had the visualisation process going in and some of the

athletes will be getting a bit cold so they put these jackets on. This

guy from Germany coming down, he is not called at all. This is not a

wet suits when so they are just in their triathlon suit. That can

affect athletes in certain ways. Strong swimmers prefer the no wet

suit swim. The Brownlee brothers, will Clarke and Stuart Hayes all

prefer that. They earlier we saw the transition spots getting ready,

how important is that part of the race? I have heard that described

as the 4th race. He get, the four of discipline. It has got to be

slick. -- the 4th discipline. You will see less than a second

separating the fastest and slowest among the athletes, but you can

lose the race in transition. You got to make sure that as you, in

from this one on to the bike, super-fast on to the back. And then

on to the run, the trainers: Quickly and you are plough back in

contention. -- the trainers, on quickly. It is it highly detailed,

the transition was back yes, that should the night before the race,

they use elastic laces on their trainers and will be sliding them

on and off. They will have a routine for left or right foot

first. Just go for it, somebody else might be right and then left

thought, some other athletes might be the other way round. If they get

that done correctly, they have got a good chance on to the run. What

will be going through their minds now? Probably just this one at the

moment. Not about the whole race? don't think so, they may be running

through that quickly but really, the start of the swim is so

important. At first minute, minute and a half when everybody on the

track starts to fast, and when I am coaching, I say don't start fast,

but at the level we are at here, they have to start fast. And then

later in the race they can begin to get their breath back, they haven't

got to get a good position to take it by the scruff of the net. As we

mentioned earlier, this is one of the seven races in the ITU series,

and as it stands no, they don't necessarily reflect he will

necessarily win after the Beijing Grand Final next month. That is

because athletes are quite strategic about which raised they

choose to take part in. As it stands, Javier Gomez won here last

year is the leader of the pack but has not been up to usual high

standards lately. Consistency has paid off for Wiliam Clarke and the

Brownlees sticking together in 7th and 8. We handed to our commentary

downpour of rain happened earlier and above us, there are clouds

which may provide some precipitation as the race unfolds.

But the elite men are lined up on the pontoon ready to dive into the

Serpentine for a 1.5 kilometre swim followed by a 40 kilometre bike

ride and 10 kilometres run to round things off. The Brownlee brothers

at the extreme right of the pontoon. They are getting set, silver of

Portugal as well. 7 and 8 worn by the Brownlee brothers, eight for

Jonathan, seven for Alistair athletes. This is the elite race of

the day. The crowd is ready and the helicopter up above. Now they step

forward and the way they go. Racing in the Serpentine, 1.5 kilometres

in the water, not as warm as yesterday but still no need for wet

suits and they are scrambling for positions early on. Time to say

good afternoon to Steve Trew. afternoon, a fascinating race and

the women's grace was absolutely tremendous. What a fantastic

victory by Helen Jenkins but the men I think will be just as

exciting. I wonder if you will see the same tactics. We had a fairly

slow laid-back bike yesterday, I think with the men we may be seen

attack after attack after attack. I am told there are 112 turns on the

bike course and with that, that is pretty exceptional. Interesting to

see where Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan put themselves in the swim,

they will want clean water and also interesting that we had Simon

Whitfield, the Olympic champion and Chris McCormick getting on to the

pontoon relatively late because their current rankings at world

level may be at a bit of a France at the front. We have seen

him in the past that he could lead swimmers out of the water but

falling away as they get on to the bike. This is a look back at the

start, clean start for both of the Brownlee brothers. The way they go

into clean water, looking for clear water at every opportunity. It is a

different course in the Serpentine this year. In the past, they have

come out of the water after 750 metres and dive back in. The

Olympic specifications don't allow for that so this year, as it is an

Olympic test event, they will stay in the water and swim in this

direction and come back and swim past the pontoon towards the

eastern end of the Serpentine before returning and exiting via

the carpeted steps running towards their bikes. Bent and -- then

another new element is towards Park Lane, through the Wellington Arch

and down Constitution Hill all are barely a hill there, past

Buckingham Palace, round the Victoria Memorial and back up

towards the park. A few dark clouds around. We had a burst of rain a

while ago, the forecast has suggested that we may get more. The

arrowhead with the leading swimmers cutting through the clean water and

the others jostling for position, where they need to avoid elbows and

arms at the forthcoming term. Raphael leading there and I was

expecting the Russians to get out on the lead and that is quite

surprising. We have talked a little bit about team tactics before.

Possibly wondering whether to bring in David Hauss, we are also looking

at another of the German athletes, he did not make the German team for

the Olympic Games last time that he onto the Serpentine with the crowds

four deep there. This is the first term. Raphael is the first through,

and brings get a bit interesting behind him. It is carnage out there

sometimes, it can be really painful. Swimming goggles can be lost and it

can be a kick in painful parts, a real Scrabble which we have seen in

the past, some of the elite athletes have been fished out of

the water by the men in kayaks. It can be very dangerous sometimes.

Interesting watching this one has come past. Past the first turning

point and Alistair Brownlee was not in the top 10, you can see how

difficult it is as they go past the third point and I was fascinated to

see how the Brownlee brothers chose their starting position. They had a

good choice and they chose to go way over on the right hand side.

Maybe they were looking for clear water but coming round at first

floating point, they have got a lot of work to do. Us the Serpentine

was designed to look natural and you can see it copied in certain

parts of the country. The Olympic champion in 2008 following a

dramatic sprint finish. Falling Simon would feel, who was the

inaugural Olympic champion. The man who took the medal in between,

Hamish Carter, has since retired. We have got two of the three

Olympic champions therefore in the history of sport racing today.

German had a great season but fell away on that and is looking

in this when -- marker. Confirmation yet to be received of

where the Brownlees are. The German up early on in the swim.

Olympic champion, the German, looking at his form through the

water. Finding himself out in front. Keen to establish the form he has

shown in Beijing when he took the gold medal. Fast through the water

here. The wind that was travelling the group earlier on as they made

their way through the Serpentine has eased off and it is quite calm

now. Still a breeze but nowhere near as stiff as it was at around

8:30am this morning. A very, very big spread on this one already. Not

even halfway and that is an elite men's field which has really

stretched and stretched. That has to be because of the hard work

being done at the front of the pack by Raphael and the German. As we

said, still waiting to see you confirmation of where the Brownlees

were. Alistair Brownlee may have been back in 15th place, but that

is not that important early on, but what is important, particularly as

we come towards the end of this one, into transition and how they

approach that. If they manage to get away well on the bike, as we

saw with Kerry Lang making attack after attack, that could have an

input on the end of the race. Eustace, another of the talented

German and Sven Riederer as well wearing four. Their real scramble.

These people yet to find freedom in the water. Loss of physical contact

going on as they come past the Serpentine Lido, that is open to

members every day of the year. -- lots of physical contact. I think

we had our first quick glimpse of Jonathan Brownlee, up challenging

in the lead group. Not right up at the front but beginning to make his

mark. If Jonathan Brownlee is there, then Alistair Brownlee will not be

the blue carpeted pontoon where everything began a few moments ago.

They swim up towards the eastern side of the lake before turning

back and having for the exit steps. The kayaks and Pavel bought there

keeping a close eye on things -- particularly dangerous but also if

they are riding around on the bikes when it is wet. And also when

Alistair Brownlee fell in an earlier section of the race earlier

this year, it can have an effect. Also when it has been dry, you

might get a bit of grease and dirt on the road and then it can be very

difficult underfoot particularly on the terms. The German still at the

front, as well as Raphael, a huge stretch still going on and and er

the athletes will be so pleased that the majority of them that it

is a no wet suits when. -- a no wet suit swim. Hauss is third in the

overall standings. He is engaged to Melanie Anaheim of Switzerland who

raced in the women's competition. A solid if not spectacular season,

David Hauss, the Frenchman. 29 coming through and that is Ivan of

Russia. A handful of very talented Russians in the race, always a

threat and lookout in particular for the two brothers, the poorly

and the brothers. Dmitri who is 24 and his brother Igor. Those

brothers will work together a bit like the Brownlee brothers when

they get out of the water and onto the road. Such a depth of swimming

in the Russians generally, they have made the mark of the couple of

staying to each other, some of these leading guys. There will be

some bruises and black guys, I am sure of it, because they normally

spread a little further than this. We looked down on the Parker, 350

acres, open from 5am until midnight all year -- the park. Henry VIII

sees it from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536 and

decided to turn it into his own moment are the ones in the middle

of the pack who are looking to come initial sprint away that Richard

Stannard referred to, some of them not going off too fast and just

conserving their energy. Alistair Brownlee, the first real side of

him, he is up there and at amongst the leading pack -- side of him. We

knew he was with Jonathan Brownlee, so let's hope we have got both of

them up there. We are waiting for a glimpse of William Clarke and Tim

Don. William is in great form at the moment. Second in the standings

at the moment, the 26-year-old from Cambridge. He recently took some

warm-weather training in Lanzarote. He had his first podium in Hamburg

at the last world championship series. Coached by a former

Olympian. And there is the world championship standings leader,

Javier Gomez of Spain. 2010 world championship leader, and a winner

already this year in Sydney. Very much the man to beat. The defending

champion here in Hyde Park. Gomez is up with that leading section now,

looking over every time he breeds to the left, watching false start -

- his breathing. We must be about two-thirds of they way through the

swim. It is almost sprinting at the moment, a lot of almost clear water

with people finding it difficult to find a good grip with their feet.

Really, because of the speed to swimmers are leading with at the

front. One of my interests her is Chris McCormack. World champion

back in 1997, he contentiously didn't make the Olympic team for

Australia in 2011 years down the line, he has said, I want to go to

the Olympics and has totally changed his training a, coming away

from the longer distances and coming back to the Olympic

distances and wants to make the selectors really take a strong

interest in him for Australia and for the landed the Olympics next

year. A so the swim field is really stretched. The -- for the London

Olympics next year. We look down on the city. That block of four on the

left is known as one Hyde Park, some of the most expensive

apartments ever built. And there are still a few foresail if you are

interested. -- a for sale. Just starting to rain again likely. So

the expected rain showers are arriving and that could make the

run, on the bike, even more interesting, slightly more

dangerous on the tight corners. If you can imagine there are more than

100 to negotiate. The rain continues to fall, things will get

slippery and dangerous underfoot and under we'll. -- wheels. The

triathletes will start to think about the exit from the Serpentine,

the climb up the steps and the entrance into transition. Just over

300 metres to swim. They will start to consider how quickly and

efficiently they can make the change from the water to the two

wheels. It is fairly well spread now. There are 67 starter's command

we will see a group of 25 plus coming out of the water -- there

are 67 starters,. The bikes are all ready to go, with front wheel

spacing out, as Richard Stannard mentioned. -- facing out. The entry

and the exit of transition is often described as the 4th element of

triathlon. I think so particularly today because the speed at the

front of the swimmers, I guess we will see them out 18-30, so

significantly faster than we saw the women factor -- barely a. But

that spread of the swim, I would say that we have done absolutely

huge spread, at over 90 seconds going right the way through. That

is going to be very difficult to catch up. We do we been out here,

we did see the second patch -- pack catching v -- with the women's a

area, we did see the second pack catching the first one. The

Australians, the English, the United States are America, or using

this as an Olympic qualifying and they want to grab those slots the

their country, and there will be a lot of hard work at the front today.

The Serpentine itself is 28 acres, at maximum depth of 48 feet. It is

only the eastern half that is known of the Serpentine. The other half

stretches into Kensington Gardens and is known as the Long Water.

Approaching the end job stage one. -- of stage one. Bennett is 40 km -

- but then it is 40 km on the bikes. Then they will return for four laps

on a for it, four of them at 2.5 km. Bash on foot of. Very tight at the

front. At the athlete's minds already focused on transition. They

are looking to get clean spaces, they run towards the bikes. A

minute, maybe just a few seconds to go, heads will be going up, the

right turn round, looking to go in there. We have seen a gap already,

as you said, around 25 or 30 swimmers, possibly a few more, but

working hard. It is a fall on race today, it is going to be absolutely

head to head -- full-on. If a break tries to go, I am sure there will

be a cover, and there will be break at the break after a break.

thoughts turn to transition, to make it as smooth and as clean as

quick as possible. Clean water out in front. There is the target,

those two blue pontoons on the right and at the blue carpet with

the steps. 17 minutes and 55 seconds, as they approached the

steps. The exit coming fast. Everything should be registered on

the computer as they go past. It is Gomes out first. Followed by

Frodeno. Alistair is the first of the brothers. Both of the Brownlee

brothers out in the top 10 as they sprint towards the transition. We

will join up Richard Stannard and Sonali Shar.

I think they were going out in 6th and 7th? They went through a

transition very quickly. It looked as though in this when they were

playing a bit of chess, they were happy to be where they were. -- In

the swim. But they want to make the front pack now and consolidate or

attack. You can never tell with these brothers, they have plans

that no one can think of. So you work that impressed with their

swim? It looked as though the whole group was a truly committing to

this when. That was certainly fast, it was not slows willing, but

nobody was really Committee -- it was not slow was winning. That is

why we have not seen the fireworks again. Bentley very much, Matt and

Stephen, back to you -- thank you very much.

MATT CHILTON:. And we will expect this to form into one medium group

up around 20, 25. There were a lot of races within 30 seconds of each

other. And now the cat-and-mouse begins under section that takes

them a long West Carriage Drive and out towards Hyde Park Corner, way

they will exit the park for the first time and out into the streets

of London -- where. Down Constitution Hill as we pick up one

or two of the stragglers. And the last bike is just being collected.

It is Jonathan Zipf of Germany. He is on his way. Also picking up with

Chris McCormack, coming out there. The back on the Brits, Alistair and

Jonathan way up there on this Wem. -- this win. Stuart pay is doing

extremely well. Tim a don at just 20 seconds then -- Tim Don.

Alistair Brownlee heads it out and Gomez following. Just to

shepherding him back on the bike. Along comes Jonathan, with Alistair

saying let's get up there and Let's see if we can make this from the

front. We have Brownlee and Brownlee, 1 and 2. Gomez is trying

to shadow every move. I think that is Chris Ken Ball from New Zealand

who had a tremendous win. -- get Olympic Games. He has been around

for a long time. It is the Olympic Games the tree focuses the mind.

Let's have a quick check on that. - - that of really focuses. A lot of

work being done added by the Brownlee brothers. Jonathan is the

younger one false start Alistair is the older bash at the younger one.

-- Jonathan is the younger one, Alistair is the older won by two

years. There is the Olympic champion coming into transition.

Gomez, the number one Spaniard, Swiss-born, left Switzerland at the

age of three, born to Spanish parents. One of the top triathletes

of that of Bass last 10 years. -- cut across the roundabout, which

you normally drive past if you are making your way past this part of

London and they will go under Wellington Arch. Also known as

constitution Arch or Green Park arch, that was its original name.

Wellington Arch and Marble Arch, to the north of the park, were plan

did 1825 by George the 4th to commemorate British victories in

the Napoleonic wars. The Wellington Arch named after the first Duke of

Wellington, the premier Duke of Wellington who commanded the Allied

Army when they defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

have a real race on here, a group of 18-20 who have managed to get

away from the chasers. We can see that they are working together as a

team. They are coming together and working, and not slowing down

whatsoever. Allerston tells Jonathan to keep pushing. --

Alistair. But a huge gap at the moment, seven or eight seconds, --

not a huge gap. But it could be significant. We saw the group get

away with the women yesterday, there wasn't any closure at all

until the last lap and it looks as though the men have decided that is

not the way this race is going to go and they are going to be working

from the front, right the way through. I Kent 22 in that first

group and a similar number -- I count. And a similar number in the

chase pack. They come down towards the Victoria Memorial in front of

Buckingham Palace. One of the things we can see, we know they are

going at speed, where they are almost in a single line. Rather

than getting a very widespread, but the group just bunching up as the

speed slows down. Number 37 leading them through. Second place is

Jonathan Brownlee. Alistair Brownlee is right behind him.

Raphael of France, one of the top swimmers, next. William Clarke,

number two. Fabien of Italy is up there as well. Number five, of

Russia. And No. 7, Alistair Brownlee. There is a modicum of the

climb here as they regroup on Constitution Hill, but it is barely

that distance between the first and second, never far from France and

the Irish athlete as well. If the athletes keep working in front as

well, it will be different to catch. We say so many times that it seems

to the ground that second. Alexander Brukhankov putting

himself on the line. Alistair and Jonathan keep on talking to each

other. They all have been talking about what their plans are and

maybe getting the assistance of some of the other athletes there,

never to forget that they are looking for Olympic selection as

well. A big race over the Olympic course and the hammer is really

down and working in pack number one. It will the second pack catch them

up? Feeding back into the park now. They are glancing over their

shoulders. They will go under the trees and circle the park. Seven

laps in total on the bike, bringing the 40 kilometre distance up. A big

exciting group with nearly all the big names in there. I worry one

athlete that is missing is Will Clarke, Issie in the second group?

LaurentVidal leading the chase says. Looking like a few seconds from

joining that lead group. The numbers and the main peloton might

double quite sure if. I think it's time gap is around 12 seconds.

Still a lot of distance to cover up. A lot of talking going on in the

front pack. Not just the guys talking but also the guys at the

front and the back. 27 minutes of the race at the moment. It was 29

minutes at for the women's race from the first lap. There are the

off the pace. But the good news is that Will Clarke is in the leading

group. We will keep an eye on where Tim Don is. Simon Wood Hill has

come through, Olympic champion in 2000 and we are still waiting for

sign of Tim Don. The good news is that both of the Brownlee brothers

and Will Clarke are in the leading group. We need to be looking at

Stuart Hayes for Great Britain, we thought he was in the leading group

but we are just getting information through but the man who does not

appear to be there at the moment is Tim Don. That is the difference.

That will not take long. We saw a gap of one minute and the women's

grace closed down and the two packs eventually come together. The gap

is just a handful of seconds here. No real pace or urgent pace at the

front of the field so it will not be long before the two packs become

one. Jonathan Brownlee takes his turn at the front of the field and

through. And a big effort on the first lap and then backing off.

Just a few people are able to do the majority of their work. The two

lead packs combining that and we have got perhaps 45 athletes there

all vying to get a good position. Early days of course on the bike

ride but looking to get the good position going into the third

discipline. Alistair Brownlee, 23 and educated at Bradford Grammar

School and then gained a place at Cambridge to study medicine and

decided to give that up and attend the University of Lydd where he did

a psychology of sport degree in 2009 -- University of Leeds. He put

in a big effort in Beijing but maybe spent too much energy then.

He was young then, and the winner in 2009, taking pictures in Madrid,

London in Hyde Park and the Gold Coast. The umbrellas are up but the

spirits are not dampened yet. The front of the field sees union flags

worn by Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee as well. Jonathan,

the younger of the two, educated also at Bradford Grammar. Studying

history at Lydd University. He did well in Lausanne, but that is

coming up on the BBC shortly as they are. We are not getting the

big move. We had never be seeming to be willing to go out and push.

Maybe a bit of slowing down because of the weather conditions. Most

unpleasant for spectators. Very unpleasant indeed for the cyclists

out there. They have got the sunglasses on, wearing shades and

they will get drops of rain on them. If they are not wearing shades, but

will make it is even worse. They will get the wind and rain coming

into their eyes. Making it tough out there on the bike. Making the

general group psychology thinking that they should just get through

it. They don't want people going out of contention. Maybe a little

bit of confidence for the run later on. Under the arch of the second

time. A chariot drawn by four horses, not three as I said

yesterday. A relatively new addition to the arch from 1912. It

symbolises the Angel Of Peace descending on the chariot of war.

And apparently it is the largest bronze sculpture in Europe. They

are going down Constitution Hill for the second time. Try to keep

the sunglasses trouble wherever possible. The rain is coming and

going. Quite intense two minutes ago but it has eased off now.

Stuart Hayes we saw there, adjusting his glasses. Good news

for the Brits. We thought he was in the lead pack but we are just

waiting for confirmation coming through and we can confirm that now.

No news still on Tim Don, but with the two packs joined together, Tim

Don will have been in the regroup. Five British athletes in there. We

have not seen Alastair or and Jonathan Brownlee go towards the

back of the front group. Kris Gemmell we caught earlier on, we

will see if anyone is willing to go with him at the front. His team-

mate at 37, another New Zealander, and the I love London signed on

that umbrella. It does make a fantastic backdrop for this

Well into their second lap of seven now. 37 has been joined by seven,

37 is James L Murray, he has made a bit of a break and has been joined

by Alistair Brownlee on his side. These two are putting pace into the

front of the field. That looks to be significant because Alastair is

looking behind, he is worried about whether it will be Jonathan

bringing the chase. The New Zealand are getting out of the saddle.

Doing his bit of work now. Will we be seeing a reaction from the first

group? Second group closing very quickly. You can see how damp it is

now with the rain getting on to our camera lens. That is at the back of

the second group. We are approaching 50 races. The New

Zealand are closely shadowed by Alistair Brownlee who is about to

be joined by a Alexander Brukhankov of Russia. The Russian has made it

3 at the front. And these are watching them go off into the

distance. Will they respond and when? Well, well, well, we have a

group of three going away. Interesting that Alistair Brownlee

going away, and Jonathan Brownlee has not attempted to bridge the gap.

At the start wandering when you talk about team tactics, you are

wondering if the message get out, whether they hold out and wait and

see. And also criteria for selection is getting on the podium

here and the other race that is significant which is Beijing. Maybe

Jonathan Brownlee is putting his place at a bit of risk. With the

big man and Alexander Brukhankov working hard at the front, you do

seem to have a bit of time now between those three and the big

pack. I make it about 10 seconds. That is the early gap and there's

Tim Don, in for position leading the chases through. Not the best

swimmer so always taking a bit of time to get involved but he now

will get encouraged. Now we see the sun come out and we always see Tim

Don encouraging his competitors around to take their turn to put in

the work and he will be say that they cannot afford to let that trio,

the New Zealand athletes, Alexander Brukhankov and Brownlee get away.

Tim Don is such a good athlete. He is not too happy and confident at

the moment, we have seen that earlier this year and in a one off

race, he is still putting a lot back. For five laps to go with a

threatening dark cloud in the background, will it dumps

significant rainfall on this course? That should liven up this

already enjoyable section. The main pack coming through and encouraged

by the crowds who have come out. In the tens of thousands. Alexander

Brukhankov, the first man through. Getting a check on the other names

making up this large chasing group. Sandwiched between them, Alistair

Brownlee of Great Britain between Brukhankov. It will not be an easy

group to break without a concerted effort. I guess a bit of disquiet

in the pack, a bit of uncertainty with the rain coming through. We

saw everybody adjusting sunglasses. People backing off the speed a bit.

With the bravery of the three getting away, that has made a

difference. You take your chances and if it works, you have got a

significant gap and you can build on that for the run. It was the

Charles the first he changed the nature of Hyde Park. Completely

when he opened it to be public. Thousands of Londoners fled the

city and camped in the park in the hope of escaping the Great plague.

A bit of history for you there. A different sort of event going on

here today for the thousands of Londoners who have watched this in

anticipation of the Olympic triathlon, the 4th one to take

place, on 5th August. A constant checking with Alastair Brown are

looking behind. Two things going through his mind, is my brother

there and other making inroads on the pack? Alexander Brukhankov

sitting at the back, he did so much work getting into the lead back

when he has put down the hammer. He is a big, strong man but they are

working so well together. I stick my position, I love to see the

athletes getting up front, -- I stake my position on this. Brownlee

37. James. He is the meat in the sandwich. These three have really

widened the gap and there will be concern in the chasing group that

it does not grow too large to counter. I think I read that right,

17 seconds, the gap on that. I am watching Alistair Brownlee's feet

to turn around on the pedals. And he seems to have opted for a

slightly smaller deer and the Russian and the Kiwi and if he can

maintain his position, that will make his legs feel a bit fresher

going into the run. He is not using the big here that will take a lot

of the impact but turning over that much faster, he will be in a nice

position if they can maintain his breakaway. There's the massive

chasing group. Almost all of the remaining 67 starters are in the

group. The trio out in front and there's a concerted effort from one

of the Australians now, and that would be Kahlefeldt possibly. He is

trying to bridge that gap under the Wellington Arch trying to make an

attempt on this lead held by these three who are already going down

Constitution Hill, the sight of three unsuccessful assassination

attempts against Queen Victoria. That was during her reign. Sir

Robert Peel wasn't quite so lucky, thrown from his horse and succeeded

the Duke of Wellington. He was thrown from his horse on

Constitution Hill and died three days later, when he was Prime

Minister. There's Helen Jenkins, the winner

of yesterday's race. Seeing herself on the big screen smiling broadly

and taking a break from the commentary, and have a word with

actually trying to help Alistair Brownlee during this race. Alistair

is off the front, that small pack of a three, and any time somebody

attacks that pack, Jonathan Brownlee will sit on the wheel of

of the person next to the attack and make no effort to make a turn,

and eventually slower the pack down. So the brothers are working

together, but we can't see the real evidence, it is hidden within the

race itself. Interesting, Richard Stannard's take on that. We will

see if the gap widens significantly. We did see one of the Australians

going off the front, obviously getting fed up with Jonathan

Brownlee's tactics. Maybe he is trying to counter it. Alistair is

making the most of this opportunity and these three are working really

well. Brukhankov coming past. They are chopping and changing with the

hard work at the front and taking time to refuel. It is a good little

trio. She it is, and they have stayed away for a long time, no

significant breaks like the women - - it is. Tim Don is in the chasing

pack. It is something they have committed now, and once they have

make that commitment, to fall back into the pack, they are going to

beat at a disadvantage. You very rarely see an effective brake

staying away. They have got to try and stay awake. As Richard said, at

the team tactics are beginning to come into play, the brotherly

tactics are beginning to come into play, with Jonathan Brownlee

covering every single move. So if somebody was stronger after the

getting away, he will be taken up as well, but not giving additional

help to a lone breakaway. He will not be in a position where he will

breach that group and take them back to the leaders. They really

heavy rain has stayed away for the moment, it is drying up again now,

although there is a cloud above the Serpentine. Pick looks rather

threatening. That is the gap between the leading three. You

could see from the helicopter, it was quite clear. That looks like

Jonathan Brownlee again at the front of the field. William Clarke

is five or six behind him. Tim Don is not far behind. All sorts of

very this and runners, with good chances going into the final

section. There is a man between the leading three and the chasing group.

Somebody is trying to bridge that gap. Do you think that is Gomes

coming through? It looks like the Spanish colours. They are all going,

come on, let's get up there, and Jonathan Brownlee says he is more

than happy to chase behind but I'm not going to do the work. So the

big chase group, one in the medal has made a big effort by himself,

but we still have those three leaders out there, including

Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain. You are right about the Spanish

colours, but it is not Gomes. It is rather, another former world

champion, with another excellent pedigree -- Rana. And with just

under five laps to go, it is Alistair Brownlee first, with

Brukhankov. Others are making an effort to close the gap as well. 16

seconds between them. 17 seconds officially, between the front for

back row and the chasing pack. Coming through transition again.

Bash the front four. It is not significant enough. We had

anticipated around 17 seconds would have stretched on the third lap,

but it hasn't happened. Maybe coming towards a critical part of

the race, if we have that commitment absolutely going down by

the leaders, or do we have a different sort of commitment, where

the chasing pack finally get themselves together. They are going

to have to ignore Jonathan Brownlee, who is more than happy to sit in

there. The other Brits have to make a decision. Again, that huge spread

on the road with the weak and it looks as though nobody is going to

commit. -- with the width. You can understand the mind said, if you

are looking for Olympic qualification, you will rest your

legs and try and pick-up selection in the run. So many mind games

going on. Always different things happening a, and that really is the

absolute beauty of triathlon. Alistair Brownlee just checking on

the time to see what sort of lead they have got on the chasers.

L very, Brukhankov, Alistair Brownlee, now joined by the

Spaniard at the back of the group of four. Brukhankov get an energy

bar of some kind down him. Trying to maintain his base. Then there is

the Spaniard, the form here world champion, he won in Cancun 10 years

ago -- former. He has been so good, almost the same age as Tim Don.

What a brave effort to come through. Another thing we need to talk about,

another fact that, that is because the lead four are going so fast,

even with the big group chasing through, they will be working hard

as well. So it is great tactics by the front for and if anybody thinks

they are going to be resting their legs in the chase back a, they need

to think -- make sure they don't get to the front, because they are

going to be called on to do some work. It looks to be closing, but

the camera shortens it for us. have another breakaway group of

three. Stuart Hayes is in there. I am pretty sure he is the third.

Stuart Hayes is at the back of that group. He has covered up his arms

so I can't get a look at his number. Is that Stuart Hayes? Or is that

William Clarke? I am going to call that as Stuart Hayes. He has been

brave in the past on loan breaks. But they haven't managed to get

away. We want to find out what the gap is between the leaders and that

this chase back. Those three that attempted it were quickly reeled in.

They four that did succeed in getting away now have a significant

lead -- the four. That has totally spread. 17 seconds on the last time

check, I would say it is way over 20 seconds there. Maybe 25 seconds.

It is such a fast pace, it hasn't slowed down at all. And credit is

due to the athletes up there making it so hard for everybody else.

Everybody taking care on the damp surface now, the rain is back again.

It is the third burst of rain that we have had. No need for sunglasses

at the moment. I umbrellas going up. I wonder how much longer the

helicopter can fly before we get a real burst of rain from the cloud

that is threatening at the moment. The helicopter might have to take

cover. Back at the front of the field. Alistair Brownlee ahead of

Brukhankov. They don't spend long in front. They are back in the park

there. Just 10 or 15 seconds before they move out and let somebody else

set the pace. The distance out between the leaders and the chase

pack is 30 seconds. 30 seconds between the leading four and the

chasers. It doesn't look like it is shrinking at all at the moment. Out

in the wet, difficult conditions on in the park, but not by the Palace.

So it is very localised, the weather. It is dry here, but it is

certainly reigning in the park at the moment. I am sure that will

change -- raining. It is a huge gap, that opening from 17 seconds to 30

seconds. We are looking at those four athletes at the top, not very

pleasant conditions with the water being flicked up from the wheels in

front, but a lot more pleasant than it he was sitting in the middle or

at the back of a chase back. Then you will have the cold water coming

all of the or racing costume, going into your eyes. -- all over your

race in costume. So those weather conditions up front, that is maybe

contributing to opening up the gap from 17 up to 30. Gavin noble is

off the bike. Represented Ireland in the Commonwealth Games -- Noble.

We may have had a bit of a crash there, because some athletes are

down as well. We will try and get another look at that. Two men down.

We will assume there was a coming together. We can see the aftermath

of it from the helicopter. The Irish rider's race is done, I think.

Irishman. I think he will attempt to get back on his bike and close

the gap but the damage may be irreparable. That is tough on Gavin,

he is a very strong athlete, he has done a lot of work to establish

himself as a real player. If we go back to the action at the front,

they are still working so hard. The bike section has been tremendous

and I guess mentally, they are thinking it it is tough for us at

the front, it is a lot more difficult for those at the back.

And once that gap has opened, again we talk about the mindset, there

will be almost unconsciously a backing of of effort. Let's wait

until we get into transition and but all the work in on the bike.

Bad plays into the advantage of these leaders. Bash at that. Every

single turn, of 112 -- that. We see them backing off slightly, moving

away from each other, they are not taking any risks whatsoever. They

will not risk touching wheels and been brought down. Four are ahead,

the chasers are spreading. You can hear some breaks squeaking as they

make the right hand -- brakes. In transition where we are, it is dry

at the moment, so the weather is moving around. Dry in places and

wet in others. It is dry under those trees, certainly. It is

Alistair Brownlee followed by Brukhankov. 24 years of age, second

last month behind Alistair Brownlee. Also second in Sydney last year.

course, there are other bonus prize funds before finishing each lap...

Some athletes will think if they are not going to be in contention

on the run, they will put some effort in on the bike and and some

money anyway. Here they come again through a transition, the leading

quartet of riders. Let's get a check on the distance between the

four at the front and the chasers, with three laps to go. It is

transition area with a massive peloton of riders approaching. A

huge group. 26 seconds, and that is officially the gap. We will have

another word with Sonali Shar and SONALI SHAH: there's the very big

chase group. What tactics are you seeing, Richard was back the French

pack working very well. And with the surface changing all the time.

We have seen so much rain so far. You can see the rain. But this end

it is dry. You have got a van rather taking a year out -- Ivan