Commonwealth triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee is gearing up for a huge year ahead after being pre-selected for next summer’s Olympic Games.

Brownlee won gold at Glasgow 2014 in the men’s race as well as the mixed team relay and will be joined by silver medallist and brother Jonathan.

Vicky Holland – who was part of the mixed team in Glasgow – has also won pre-selection with Wales’ Non Stanford the last Briton named.

Final selection will be made in June next year and hinges of form, fitness and eligibility.

Both Brownlee brothers have been named because of their ability to win at Olympic level – with Alistair the reigning Olympic champion while Jonathan took bronze at London 2012.

And Alistair admits he is desperate to keep his fine run of form going as he looks to cement his spot in Rio.

“There is nothing bigger in triathlon than the Olympic Games, and I’m hugely excited about the year ahead,” he said.

“This news allows me to structure my winter training with Rio at the forefront of my mind. Knowing that Jonny has been pre-selected with me is another big boost.”

For Holland third-place at the World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago helped her inclusion as well as bronze in Glasgow and she says she is ready to get her head down and put in the hard hours ahead of next summer’s Games.

“Confirmation of pre selection is another big tick in the box after getting the results I needed in Rio and Chicago,” she said. “There’s a lot of hard work to do now, but I can’t wait for next summer.”

Sportsbeat 2015