Alistair Brownlee turned his attention to London 2012 after storming to victory in the ITU World Championship Series in Hyde Park.

Britain's outstanding triathlete confirmed his status as the early gold medal favourite after destroying the field on Saturday, ensuring he will enter next month's grand final in Australia as world number one.

Finishing eight seconds ahead of second place Steffen Justus of Germany, the 21-year-old from Leeds has now won all four series events he has entered.

But it is victory in Hyde Park, the setting for the triathlon when the Olympics comes to London in three years' time, that Brownlee savoured most of all.

"If I could have won any race all year it would have been this one," he said.

"It's a great confidence booster doing so well with the Olympics here in 2012. The crowd was brilliant and really got behind me.

"I can't believe I won - the race was tough but it's such a good feeling to win at home."

The only blot on the afternoon was the abrupt end to his eagerly-awaited duel with greatest rival Javier Gomez.

Gomez, in impressive form after overcoming the Achilles injury that resulted in a slow start to the season, was expected to challenge Brownlee only to crash during the cycling due to a faulty chain.

The Spaniard, who won the European Championships last month, was left with large grazes across his back and shoulders.

"I was disappointed Javier withdrew. He'd been getting fitter all year and a win never means as much if you haven't beaten the best people," said Brownlee.

"I wanted to race head to head and who knows what the result would have been had he carried on."

The key to Brownlee's victory was a stunning run that saw him overcome a dreadful second transition.

Held up by a melee in the transition area caused by a tumbling rival, he then had trouble putting on his shoes and was trailing near the back as he set off.

But once settled and with no Gomez or Jarrod Shoemaker, who also crashed out, to challenge him he made ominously light work of the field.

"I tried to stay relaxed and get to the front while not running too fast," said Brownlee.

"Once I got into my stride I began picking people off and then opening up a gap. But everything went wrong in that changeover."

Veteran Tim Don ensured Britain was further represented in the top 10 with a ninth place while Brownlee's highly promising younger brother Jon finished in 27th.

Helen Jenkins produced her best result of the season to finish third in the women's race.

Jenkins, Britain's reigning world champion, was edged out in an exciting sprint finish to the 10km run that saw Switzerland's Nicola Spirig cross the line five seconds ahead.

Lisa Norden of Sweden took the silver medal while Jenkins' GB team-mate Jodie Stimpson, ranked outside the top 100, finished in a creditable 11th.

"To get on the podium on home soil is fantastic," said Jenkins.

"Tactically I didn't run that well and I just didn't have it at the end, but I can work on that over the next few years.

"This is a big improvement on the two fifth places I had in the last couple of events."