Boasson Hagen empty ahead of Worlds road race

Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen ended yesterday's world championship time trial disappointed with his condition, a race in which he finished 27th. Boasson Hagen hopes the sensation in his legs which powered him to four stage wins and the overall title at last week's Tour of Britain returns for Sunday's world championship road race in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

"It is not a good sign [for the road race] when there is no power in the legs," he told Cyclingnews. "I hope to have a better day on Sunday."

Sunday's circuit has two climbs, the Acqua Fresca and Novazzano. It's a short 13.8-kilometre circuit repeated 19 times, but features 4655 metres of climbing in 262.2 kilometres.

"I haven't spent so much time on the time trial bike, so I hope it is better on the road bike," he said.

Boasson Hagen, 22, won two time trials this year: a stage at the Eneco Tour and the Norwegian national championships. His road wins include a Giro d'Italia stage, Gent-Wevelgem and four stages and overall at the Tour of Britain.

He finished 21st in the 2008 Worlds road race last year in Varese, Italy. As an Under-23 rider, he finished sixth in 2007 and ninth in 2006.

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