Jonathan Brownlee’s startling maiden senior season almost put former world champion Alistair in the shade – but the former Bradford Grammar School triathlete will still be casting jealous looks his older brother’s way this spring.

Fresh from claiming World Junior Championship silver in 2009, Jonathan finished the London leg of the World Championship Series in Hyde Park – the site of the 2012 triathlon course – in second before claiming the world under-23 title in Budapest.

Brother Alistair, meanwhile, endured a rollercoaster year, battling back from a stress fracture to win in Madrid, only to collapse over the line in Hyde Park before bouncing back to claim the final race of the season in Hungary.

But despite holding the bragging rights in the Brownlee household over Christmas, Jonathan’s lack of experience on the senior circuit will see him set out on the trail of 2012 qualification early this year while Alistair rests his limbs.

“My aim is the same as everyone else’s and that is to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics and there’s two races where I can qualify,” said Jonathan – speaking at the launch of the BMW London 2012 Performance Team at the Royal Observ-atory in Greenwich.

“First I need to qualify for the qualification races so I may have to start my season a little bit earlier in maybe April time to try and get points to get into the qualification races.

“I will just build for those races then and try and qualify but the British team is strong at the moment and there are probably about ten athletes who can qualify and only three spots but all you can do is just turn up on the day and try your best.

“You just have to train hard and when you get there just race as hard as you can.

“Tim Don was third in Hamburg, Stuart Hayes was first in Kitzbuhel and then you have Alistair doing what he does and you have a few younger people coming up as well.

“It makes it exciting because it pushes you on.”

The top three finishers at this year’s World Championship Series leg in London – which will be contested over the exact 2012 course – and the first three to cross the line at the Grand Final in Beijing will automatically qualify for the London Olympics.

Alistair will carry unhappy memories of his last trip to Hyde Park when he attempts to book his spot at the first time of asking – but insists he’s more than capable of handling the pressure.

“I got myself into the best shape I have ever been in and then had an absolute shocker in London and nearly killed myself,” said Alistair.

“The year was a massive rollercoaster, with stress fractures and heat exhaustion, a bit of over-training and all sorts along the way but it was very satisfying as well.”

* BMW London 2012 Performance Team is an initiative designed to provide Team GB and ParalympicsGB with support as they prepare for the Games. To follow the performance journey of the 25 athletes visit www.bmw.co.uk/london2012