From Olympic Glory to Dad-to-Be: Jonny Brownlee's 'Baptism of Fire' Before Final Supertri Push
At 35, triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee is experiencing a series of firsts—his first gravel racing "baptism of fire," his first time as a team owner, and soon, his first time as a father.
The sport is evolving with new formats like Supertri and athletes explore cross-training in gravel racing. Established champions are finding new ways to stay competitive while giving back to the sport.
Ahead of Supertri Jersey this weekend, where he'll attempt to improve on his iconic 2021 photo finish, Brownlee is using unconventional training methods to maintain his edge while successfully transitioning into a mentor role for the next generation. This exclusive interview reveals how one of Britain's most decorated triathletes is preparing for what could be his most important chapter yet.
The Gravel Racing Revelation: Unconventional Training for Triathlon Success
When most athletes are winding down their seasons, Jonny Brownlee was getting his hands dirty in Dalby Forest. Last weekend's British Gravel Championships provided an unexpected masterclass in race preparation, one that the Olympic medalist believes will serve him perfectly for the technical demands of Supertri Jersey.
"It was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life on my bike but it was absolutely brilliant," Brownlee explained after finishing 18th in the elite men's race, alongside brother Alistair who placed 15th. What made the experience particularly challenging wasn't just the physical demands, but the mental stress of racing unfamiliar terrain at breakneck speeds.
The opening 20 minutes proved to be a crucial learning experience. Without the opportunity to recce the course beforehand, Brownlee found himself "flying down at 60 kilometers an hour not knowing what's coming," which forced him to burn precious energy early in the race. It's a scenario that perfectly mirrors the demands of Supertri racing, where split-second decisions and technical skills can make or break a result.
Why Gravel Racing Makes Perfect Triathlon Preparation
The parallels between gravel racing and Supertri competition extend far beyond the obvious cycling component. Brownlee's description of the gravel experience—"max out for 30 minutes and then you've got about three hours to go"—could easily apply to the enduro format that awaits him in Jersey.
In gravel racing, athletes must navigate constantly changing terrain, make rapid tactical decisions, and manage their effort across varied intensities. These skills translate directly to Supertri's technical courses, where sharp corners, elevation changes, and unpredictable racing dynamics require both physical prowess and tactical intelligence.
The mud and gravel of Dalby Forest provided the perfect testing ground for bike handling skills that will prove invaluable on Jersey's technical streets. As Brownlee noted, "after doing it in the mud and the gravel, that should feel quite comfortable."
Full Circle Moments: From Competitor to Team Owner
The evolution from individual athlete to team leader represents one of the most significant transitions in Brownlee's career. Partnering with "uber manager" Tim Don, Brownlee Racing has quickly established itself as a force in the Supertri series, but success hasn't come from simply recruiting the fastest athletes available.
The Art of Team Building
Instead, the team's philosophy centers on finding athletes with compelling narratives and untapped potential. "We want to have people who have got a bit of story on our team," Brownlee explained, highlighting how personal connection and authentic storytelling have become central to their recruitment strategy.
The partnership with Tim Don has proven particularly effective, with Brownlee crediting Don as "the best team manager out there." This collaboration allows Brownlee to focus on the mentoring aspects of team leadership while Don handles the complex logistics of managing elite athletes across multiple time zones and competition formats.
The team's roster reflects this balanced approach, combining established talents with emerging stars who bring both athletic ability and compelling personal stories. From British prospects like Marcus Dey, Brandon Pye, and Oliver Conway to international talents like Belgium's Jolien Vermeylen, each athlete represents a carefully considered investment in both performance and narrative potential.
The satisfaction Brownlee derives from seeing his mentees succeed has become a driving force in his continued involvement in the sport. Watching Oliver Conway's breakthrough performance—finishing fourth in his WTCS debut at Karlovy Vary last weekend—provided validation that the team's approach is working.
Mentoring the Next Generation: Passing the Torch
The impact of mentorship extends far beyond technical instruction. For Brownlee, the role involves building confidence, providing opportunities, and creating pathways for young athletes to compete on global stages. The ripple effect of this approach can be seen in how athletes who once watched the Brownlee brothers compete are now inspiring others in turn.
Building Confidence Through Opportunity
Oliver Conway's journey exemplifies the transformative power of strategic mentorship. After a disappointing result in Toronto where mechanical issues cost him a potential podium, Conway could have approached his WTCS debut with doubt. Instead, as Brownlee observed, "he isn't going to World Series going, oh, no, it's Matt Hauser or whoever, I can't beat him. He's going, you know, I can beat these guys."
This shift in mindset represents the core of effective mentorship—helping athletes believe in their ability to compete at the highest level. By providing Conway with the opportunity to race in Toronto, Brownlee Racing gave him the confidence-building experience he needed to excel on triathlon's biggest stage.
The Power of Authentic Connection
Perhaps no story better illustrates the circular nature of inspiration than Jolien Vermeylen's journey to the team. The Belgian athlete's introduction to triathlon came through reading the Brownlee brothers' book "Swim Bike Run," making her recruitment particularly meaningful.
"She told me in Toronto that she had been a swimmer when someone gave her our book at which point she'd never heard about triathlon but thought that's pretty cool and something she'd try," Brownlee recounted. The full-circle moment reached its peak when Vermeylen won her Supertri debut in Toronto, demonstrating how inspiration can travel from book pages to podium finishes.
The practical aspects of mentorship also shine through in Brownlee's hands-on approach. His pre-race preparation with Vermeylen in Toronto involved "showing her around the bike course, showed her how to corner"—technical guidance that proved immediately effective.
Maintaining Elite Performance While Life Changes
At 35 and preparing for fatherhood, Brownlee faces the challenge of maintaining elite performance while significant life changes loom. Rather than viewing these transitions as obstacles, he's embraced them as opportunities to approach training and racing with renewed perspective.
Current Form and Fitness
Despite his age and evolving priorities, Brownlee's current fitness levels suggest he's far from finished as a competitive force. "My run sessions have been really good and I would say my running is the best it's been for a few years," he revealed, indicating that experience and smart training can compensate for the natural decline that comes with age.
The key has been strategic variety in training approaches. "I've tried to enjoy this last month and do different things at this stage of my career," Brownlee explained, with the gravel racing experience serving as a perfect example of how unconventional preparation can yield both enjoyment and performance benefits.
Balancing Priorities
The impending arrival of his first child has already influenced Brownlee's decision-making around race selection and travel commitments. "I've been travelling around the world for the best part of 20 years, so I think I've earned the right to be at home and take a breath for a little bit and get ready—including finishing the nursery!"
This balanced approach reflects a mature athlete's understanding that peak performance requires more than just physical preparation. By managing his commitments strategically, Brownlee can maintain competitive intensity while preparing for his most important new role.
Supertri Jersey: Redemption and Legacy
The return to Jersey carries special significance as the venue where Supertri truly established its identity. For Brownlee, it represents both an opportunity for redemption and a chance to showcase the benefits of his unconventional preparation approach.
The Iconic 2021 Finish
The memory of the 2021 Jersey finish remains vivid for Brownlee, despite finishing on the wrong side of the photo finish. "It was a real tough, honest race," he recalled, describing the tactical battle that saw him briefly take the lead before Alex Yee's dramatic last-second victory.
The race exemplified everything that makes Supertri compelling—close finishes, tactical racing, and outcomes decided in the final meters. "Even though I got beaten, I go back and watch it every now and then," Brownlee admitted, highlighting how the quality of competition can make even defeat memorable.
Strategic Approach to the Enduro Format
This weekend's enduro format should suit Brownlee's strengths perfectly. The multi-round structure favors athletes who can manage effort across changing intensities—precisely the skills he's been honing through gravel racing preparation.
"You go hard for the first 20 minutes and then you've got another two rounds to go," Brownlee explained. His strategy focuses on surviving the chaotic opening round before using his endurance strength in the later stages. "For me, in these races, I'm getting through the first round and seeing where I am and then going from there."
The technical nature of Jersey's course—with its steep climbs, technical corners, and demanding transitions—provides the perfect testing ground for the bike handling skills developed in Dalby Forest's challenging conditions.
The Amphitheatre of Triathlon
Jersey's unique atmosphere adds another dimension to the competitive challenge. "It feels like it's where Supertri got going and really kicked on. All the fans come out and support it and the crowd makes it—it's kind of like an amphitheatre of triathlon," Brownlee observed.
This intimate setting, where spectators can follow the action throughout the technical course, creates an energy that elevates both athlete performance and spectator experience. For Brownlee, racing in front of knowledgeable, enthusiastic crowds provides additional motivation as he seeks to improve on his 2021 result.
Looking Forward: Legacy and Inspiration
As Brownlee prepares for Supertri Jersey and the major life changes ahead, his impact on triathlon extends far beyond his own competitive results. Through Brownlee Racing, he's created a platform for developing talent while demonstrating how experienced athletes can successfully transition into mentorship roles.
The team's early success—highlighted by Conway's WTCS breakthrough and Vermeylen's dominant Supertri debut—validates the approach of combining performance focus with compelling personal stories. This model could influence how professional triathlon teams operate in the future, emphasizing athlete development alongside immediate competitive success.
The Ripple Effect
The circular nature of inspiration in triathlon continues through Brownlee's mentoring work. Athletes who were once inspired by watching the Brownlee brothers are now in positions to inspire others, creating a sustainable cycle of motivation and development.
This weekend in Jersey, as Brownlee attempts to improve on his 2021 finish while his protégés compete alongside him, the full scope of his evolving role in triathlon will be on display. Whether he achieves the redemption he seeks or not, his influence on the sport's next generation is already secure.
The gravel racing "baptism of fire" may have been one of the hardest things he's ever done on a bike, but it represents something larger—a willingness to embrace new challenges and unconventional approaches in pursuit of continued excellence. As triathlon continues evolving, athletes like Brownlee who can adapt while nurturing others will ensure the sport's future remains bright.
Watch Supertri Jersey to witness whether Brownlee's unconventional preparation pays off, and follow the emerging talents he's nurturing for the future of British triathlon. The stage is set for another memorable chapter in the career of one of triathlon's most enduring champions.
