It’s been on the cards at two previous races this year before late withdrawals have meant the battle between the three London 2012 Olympic medallists hasn’t happened.

But Javier Gomez and Brownlee brothers Jonathan and Alistair from Bramhope are back on the start list in the Hamburg sprint this weekend.

Also, with just three races left in the World Triathlon season, every race is crucial for gathering ranking points for the overall series.

After Kitzbuhel, Gomez still leads with 2,744 points but is less than 50 points ahead of compatriot Mario Mola (2,699). Portugal’s Joao Silva is third with 2,422, Richard Murray is fourth and Ivan Vasiliev (Russia) fifth.

The Brownlees are tied in sixth as each have a perfect two races and two wins record this year.

That means that while it’s mathematically possible for Alistair or Jonny to take the 2013 ITU World Championship title, they have some work to do in reigning in the lead.

With just Hamburg, Stockholm and the London Grand Final to go, this weekend will be crucial.

On form, it’s hard to see how Alistair will be beaten, but Hamburg does throw up more questions than other courses.

In the history of the ITU World Triathlon Series, neither Brownlee has raced in Hamburg.

The only time the brothers were here was at the 2007 ITU World Championships, when Alistair claimed a silver in the junior men’s race and Jonathan finished 15th.

In contrast, Gomez won here in 2010 and claimed silvers in 2007 and 2012, when the race was over a sprint distance.