Alistair Brownlee believes the standard of middle distance triathlon has never been higher ahead of a hotly-anticipated showdown in the Saturday Spanish sun.
The two-time Olympic champion from Leeds, 35, will make his return to racing in Ibiza for the inaugural Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) European Open this weekend.
Ad The innovative event has organised a Balearic battle between every Olympic gold medallist since Beijing 2008, with reigning Tokyo champion Kristian Blummenfelt and German giant Jan Frodeno, who grabbed glory in China 15 years ago, spearheading a star-studded field alongside Brownlee.
Triathlon'Now I'm a Man City fan!' How 'monster' Haaland is inspiring compatriot BlummenfeltAN HOUR AGO Frodeno, 41, is widely acknowledged as the greatest triathlete of all time but earlier this week hailed Brownlee, who claimed Olympic gold in London and Rio, as the finest athlete to ever grace the sport.