As the first man to win a medal at these Commonwealth Games, Alistair Brownlee literally walked to what had always looked like an inevitable victory, before piling on the pain for his rivals.

The injuries that have afflicted the multiple world champion since he claimed the Olympic title two years ago had perhaps offered some hope to the rest of the field - including brother Jonny, yesterday's silver medallist - that his reign may be coming to an end.

If so, the 26-year-old Yorkshireman had grim news for them, because far from curtailing his career it seems his fitness issues have only strengthened his appreciation for his sport and heightened his appetite for more success.

"I've achieved far more than I ever dreamed of being able to when I started doing triathlon 15 years ago," he said, after stating that the Commonwealth Games had been his big target for the year, since it was the one major gold medal missing from his collection.

"It's fantastic, but no way does it make me any less competitive. Stick me on a start-line, whether it's training sessions on a rainy Saturday morning in Leeds or the Commonwealth Games on a very hot, sunny Thursday in Glasgow, it doesn't matter, I'm still very, very competitive.

"More than anything I think injuries have taught me that I love what I do day in, day out, and I love being on that start-line and I love being able to compete. I can't really see the appeal of that going, even if I'm unable to win races. I think I would still love being able to compete, so I don't think I'll be retiring any time soon."

Since his parents are doctors, there is almost a temptation to suspect genetic programming, given the way they have bred for him the perfect partner in Jonny, two years his junior.

No Formula One team manager could possibly hope to have a No.2 driver who is more willing to accept his lot uncomplainingly, yet still give his all, as he once again demonstrated when asked whether it was dispiriting that his big brother never lets him win the races that matter.

"A little bit," he replied resignedly, but without any real hint of bitterness. "I'm used to it now, though. I'm the kind of guy who always comes second or third. Hopefully, my time will come. He's getting older, he's getting a little bit greyer, so hopefully in a few years' time I'll be able to beat him."

It is a sentiment shared by every other leading triathlete in the world, such is Brownlee senior's dominance of his sport when fully fit.

So much so this time that he could gather flags and then exchange high fives with spectators before strolling to the line to await Jonny, who looked a great deal less fresh as he claimed that equally expected silver medal.

He was followed in by South African Richard Murray, who picked up the bronze medal by a more comfortable margin than the finishing times suggested, with four more athletes all within half second of his time.

The group included David McNamee, who finished seventh, but it was the last of the Scottish finishers whose performance drew tribute from the winner, Marc Austin having stuck with Brownlee and his brother longer than anyone.

"I was just amazed that he was with us," Brownlee said of the 20-year-old. "He was really, really doing all he could to stay with us. I think he's one for the future. He did well today. He's probably one of the only British athletes we've had who's swum and biked with me and Jonny, so good on him."

There was inevitably a price to pay, Austin fading badly after being dropped just as the clock ticked on to the one-hour mark and he looked spent even at that stage, before having to get off his bike and run a gruelling 10k.

For the same reason that it was a desperate shame that there were no Scottish women in the women's race, which produced the first medallists of the Games, his coaches will rightly tell Austin that he will ultimately benefit from having shown such courage as he now has a better idea of what is required to compete with the very best.

That said, the way Jonny Brownlee was ultimately dealt similar treatment, ruthlessly abandoned at the start of the running phase, suggests there is only so much that can be learned from such experiences.

Given the way the champion talked the talk after walking the walk yesterday, it seems likely that they and the rest have a fair bit of chasing to do yet.