Jonny Brownlee is eager to make amends at the opening World Triathlon Series race of the season in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Victory at the Grand Final in London in September would have seen Brownlee retain his title but Javier Gomez won a sprint finish to take first place in both race and series.

Brownlee’s brother, Olympic champion Alistair, saw his own hopes ended by an ankle injury and memorably branded Jonny a “complete tactical numpty”.

Jonny said: “To lose in a sprint finish was tough. I used it this winter to push harder in sessions because I don’t want to be in that same situation again.

“I’d like to make the swim and the bike really hard. My cycling has definitely improved and I’d like to use that.”

Jonny will take on Gomez again as well as another in-form Spaniard, Mario Mola.

Alistair has not travelled to Auckland and may not contest the five races needed to compete for the world title as he aims for a season without injury.