The 20-year-old from Leeds pushed the pace throughout the run, but was beaten on the line by Portugal’s Joao Silva, 1hr 53min 20sec to 1:53.21.

Competing less than a week after winning the world sprint title in Lausanne, Brownlee, the younger brother of last year’s world champion Alistair,  faced a tough field that included Silva and Russia’s Alexander Brukhankov - both of whom have achieved multiple top ten finishes, racing as seniors in the Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series this season.

Brukhankov led out the swim as expected, with Brownlee third fastest over the 1500 metres distance.

Brownlee rode in the lead pack on the hilly bike course and took to the front on the run as the three favourites broke away from the other runners. 

Brownlee led the entire 10km run, breaking away with Silva from Brukhankov to set up an exciting sprint finish.

The crowd was able to celebrate a home victory with the Portuguese athlete claiming gold by just one second over Brownlee.

Britain’s Stirling based David McNamee, 22, was ninth and fellow Scot, Ritchie Nicholls was 16th.

Brownlee commented: "I’m pleased, and gutted at the same time as it was so close.

"But Silva is an incredible athlete and it was a really hard and hot race.  

"I’ve moved on from the start of the season when I could only just get round these longer races. 

"I’m learning all the time and now can’t wait for Budapest [for the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final].

Hollie Avil was forced to retire during the second lap of the women’s race as a result of ill health.

The 20-year-old reigning world under-23 champion has had an eye infection requiring antibiotics and will hope to make a full recovery in time for the World Championships in Budapest in two weeks’ time.

British Triathlon National Performance Director, Heather Williams, said: "Jonny’s race was a head-for-head sprint for the line.

"He got into a group with Silva and Brukhankov on the run and was at the front pushing the pace the whole time.

"Second is a good result against strong, high standard opposition, and it is excellent experience.

"We’re now just two weeks away from the World Championship Grand Final, our most important event of the season, and we have some athletes racing for world titles on home soil at the GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships next weekend."

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