Armstrong wins second time trial gold in Mendrisio

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Olympic Champion Kristin Armstrong (USA) won her second time trial World Championship gold medal on Wednesday in Mendrisio, Switzerland. She rode the 26.8-kilometre course in a time of 35:26.

"It does not matter what year and how many time you are world champion, it is always the best feeling in the world," she said.

Noemi Cantele (Italy) placed second with a time of 36:21, 55 seconds behind Armstrong. Linda Melanie Villumsen (Denmark) rounded out the women's podium in third, 58 seconds behind Armstrong.

Armstrong, 36, won her first gold medal three year's ago in Salzburg, Austria. She prepared to arrive in top form for the Beijing Olympics in August last year and could only manage fifth at Worlds in Varese, Italy.

"The four years leading to Beijing, I was just focused on being the best for a medal," continued Armstrong. "It was different this year; I was focusing on the team [Cervélo TestTeam]. It took pressure off of me throughout the year and gave me motivation to go one more year after the Olympic win."

Armstrong's last race will be Saturday's World Championships road race. She will retire from competition and take up a management position with a team of developing riders in the USA.

Her time trial win was USA's fourth win since the women's competition started 15 years ago. Defending Champion Amber Neben (USA) finished sixth, 1:29 behind her teammate and one second behind Christiane Soeder (Austria).

The Netherlands continue good start

The women's time trial took in two 13.4-kilometre circuits, for a total of 26.8 kilometres through an area west of Mendrisio's centre. The 650-metre long Rancate climb was the main difficulty with sections of 10 percent.

The Netherlands started on top, just like in the Under-23 men's race in the morning. Dutchwoman and European time trial champion Elenora Van Dijk began third of the 41 riders to start. She closed the first lap with 18:33 and her time trial with 38:10.

Jessica Phillips (USA) quickly took the provisional top-spot of Van Dijk. US Champion Phillips posted 18:42 mid-way and a finish time of 37:37, 33 seconds faster than Van Dijk.

Canadian Whitten takes over

Over an hour later, Italy's Tatiana Guderzo and Lithuania's Diana Ziliute challenged Phillips, but both riders fell short. Guderzo by 22 seconds and Ziliute by 16 seconds. Canada's Tara Whitten finally topped Phillips as she posted a 18:12 first lap and ended with 37 minutes.

German Trixi Worrack slotted right between Phillips and Whitten moments later, finishing in 37:28.

Four-time champion Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) started the last phase of 11 riders, which featured riders who would eventually top Whitten's time.

Longo-Ciprelli finished 14 seconds behind Whitten. Cantele rode the first sub-18-minute time, 17:59, at the end of lap one and provisional best at the finish, 36:21.

"I rode without a heart rate monitor or a race radio, I just wanted to follow my feelings," said Cantele. "After the second time up the climb I heard I was going well via the car's speaker."

Cantele said she was encouraged to race her first Worlds time trial after her first participation, and victory, at the Italian championships in June. "Maybe it is a good idea to keep on trying to win the Worlds!"

Armstrong topped both Cantele's times: 17:37 and 35:26 at the finish. Only Villumsen changed the order of the podium, taking third spot moments later, three seconds behind Cantele.

"I am happy with my bronze medal," said Villumsen, 24. "I'll be back next year to challenge for a higher place."

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