Jonny Brownlee had to settle for fifth place in the opening World Triathlon Series race of the season in Abu Dhabi . The Olympic bronze medallist paid the price for slipping towards the back of a large leading pack at the end of the bike leg and was unable to close the gap to leading trio Mario Mola , Vincent Luis and Richard Murray on the run . Brownlee then lost out in a sprint finish to Joao Silva of Portugal but did at least have the consolation of beating great rival Javier Gomez , who could only manage sixth . Jonny Brownlee came a disappointing fifth after a poor bike leg in the World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi . Gomez 's Spanish compatriot Mola was the class of the field over the sprint distance and pulled away during the second half of the five kilometres run to clinch a comfortable victory . Jonny 's brother Alistair missed the race because of a minor ankle injury but , with Olympic qualification to be decided in August and September at the test event in Rio and the world series Grand Final in Chicago , none of the leading triathletes will want to peak too soon . Jonny , 24 , said : ' I wanted better than that . I messed up everything I possibly could . That 's what the first race is about . ' I thought my running was going well , but obviously not so well off the bike . I got into it later on but it was too late then . I just need to iron out the mistakes and sharpen up a little . ' Brownlee celebrates after winning the silver medal in the men 's Triathlon Final at Strathclyde Country Park . The women 's race was once again dominated by world champion Gwen Jorgensen of the United States , with a disappointed Jodie Stimpson the leading British athlete in 17th . Stimpson , who won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year , missed the front bike pack and was unable to make up any ground on the run , with a niggling Achilles problem not helping . Britain 's former world champions Non Stanford and Helen Jenkins along with Commonwealth bronze medallist Vicky Holland all chose to stay at home and continue their training . The next round of the series takes place in Auckland at the end of March . The Olympic bronze medallist competes in the Men 's ITU World Triathlon sprint event chased by Vincent Luis .
Jonny Brownlee finished fifth during the opening race of World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi after a poor bike leg saw him slip behind . The Olympic bronze medallist managed a fight back during the final leg . Spaniard Mario Mola won the opening race in impressive style .