Britain's triathlon world champion Alistair Brownlee will miss the start of the season with a stress fracture.

The injury to his femur will keep the Yorkshire 21-year-old out of the first two rounds of the World Championship Series in Sydney and Seoul.

Brownlee hopes to return in time for the third race in Madrid on 5 June.

"Getting the best out of myself means pushing myself to the edge of my limits. Sometimes you cross the line and injury is inevitable," he said.

"While the worst part is not being able to do what I love every day, I am pleased with my rehab to date.

"My primary focus is to get fit and healthy."

Brownlee, a former junior and under-23 world champion, clinched the 2009 World Championship Series with victory on Australia's Gold Coast in September.

Missing two of the six rounds in this year's championship will dent his hopes of retaining the crown, although Brownlee will be able to pick up points at smaller World Cup events.

The Leeds star is seen as one of Britain's best medal prospects for the London 2012 Olympics.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version