JONNY and Alastair Brownlee were both competing in the second World Triathlon Series race of the season on Australia's Gold Coast.

Spain's Mario Mola claimed his second successive WTS win in the men's race, with Jonny Brownlee third.

Brownlee's brother, and reigning Olympic champion Alistair, finished 36th in his first race since undergoing ankle surgery last year.

British Triathlon Performance Director Brendan Purcell said of the Bingley Harriers duo, who have already been pre-selected for Rio: "Racing in the middle of the day, the heat coming off the tarmac was unbelievable.

"The key is to get them recovered and on their way to South Africa for the next race now.

"Jonny did well to hang on for the medal, and this is Alistair's first race since surgery. He's only just started to do the intensive work that he needs to do."

Helen Jenkins made a timely claim for the third and final women's spot in Britain's team for the Olympics by winning their race.

With a meeting taking place in the next week to decide nominations for who will join Non Stanford and Vicky Holland in Rio de Janeiro, Wales' Jenkins blitzed the field Down Under in a time of 1hr 56min 3sec.

Nearest challenger and reigning two-time world champion Gwen Jorgensen finished 41 seconds behind.

Jenkins said: "I can't quite believe it. I got to the run and just went for it, but the whole time I was waiting for Gwen – you can never underestimate how quick Gwen's running is."

Her main rival for a spot at the Games, Jodie Stimpson, finished 12th, more than three minutes slower than Jenkins.

Stimpson, who was Britain's top woman in 2014 but struggled with injury last year, topped the podium in last month's season opener in Abu Dhabi as former world champion Jenkins took third.

Purcell said: "Jodie wasn't able to get her best performance out today and I'm gutted for her, but she's still a key British athlete and we'll support her in every way possible.

"Helen demonstrated exactly what she is capable of, and she's done an outstanding job after years getting herself back from injury."