2015 Worlds: Villumsen takes her 6th TT medal and first gold

There is always a lot at stake in the World Championships, but today was not only about the rainbow jersey, it was also about Rio 2016. With 2 spots in the time trial for the Americans at next summer’s Olympics, landing on the podium today would mean an automatic spot on the team. Two time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong, 42, came out of retirement in 2015 with the specific goal of making making the Rio TT squad. The 2 other Americans racing the TT today, Carmen Small and Evelyn Stevens, were also looking for a ticket to Rio.

 

Armstrong was the second rider to start the 29.9km course this afternoon.

 

Jeanne D’arc Girubuntu is the first Rwandan women to ever compete in the World Championships and the only African in the Elite Women’s TT.

 

It’s hard to say what Kathryn Bertine is best known for: her documentary “Half the Road;” co-founding the successful one day race, La Course; authoring 2 books; or a host of other projects she always seems to have on the go. It’s not every day you see a rider giving fans a thumbs up moments before she’s called to the start house.

 

Bertine was also the only rider to smile–a broad grin–while waiting for the countdown to reach zero. Before it did? She told Richmond to, “make some noise,” which the spectators did with glee.

 

Armstrong, meanwhile, was finishing her first lap and looking strong.

 

She stopped the clock at 40:49.

 

Taking her post in the hot seat, Armstong spent the afternoon anxiously watching the competition try to topple her, knowing the biggest threats would not even start for nearly 2 hours. Armstrong benefit from mild conditions whereas those who started later dealt with a significant wind, one that was particularly strong on the long stretch of exposed bridge coming back into the city.

 

A track rider, Canada’s Tara Whitten ultimately landed in 13th.

 

Carmen Small.

 

 

Ellen van Dijk, TT world champion in 2013 and silver medalist in the TTT with Boels Dolmans 48 hours ago.

 

Trixi Worrack.

 

Halfway through, Small caught and passed the Latvian who started 90 seconds ahead of her.

 

 

Worrack was 1st in the TTT and 10th in the TT in 2014. One year later, she achieved the exact same result.

 

Small finished over a minute off of Armstrong’s time and was ultimately 14th.

 

Van Dijk caught the Finish rider in the home stretch, but it wasn’t enough for a spot on the podium.

 

The Dutchwoman placed 7th. She later said that her brakes were rubbing during the race but that even had her equipment not failed her, she just didn’t have the legs to win today.

 

Christine Majerus.

 

Camilla Mollebro.

 

Martina Salikova.

 

With just 3 riders left to hit the course, the last American to roll down the start ramp was Evelyn Stevens.

 

Anna Van Der Breggen, the penultimate rider, has had a fantastic season winning TTs, stage races, and La Course.

 

Looking to repeat her time trialling success from 2014 where she emerged with the rainbow jeresy, Lisa Brennauer was the final rider on course.

 

Emma Johansson.

 

Alena Amialiusik took 8th place.

 

Linda Villumsen had stood on the podium 5 times but had never been on the top step. As reports of her splits came in, Armstrong had cause to be nervous for the first time all afternoon.

 

Ann-Sofie Duyck.

 

Katrin Garfoot.

 

Hanna Solovey.

 

Karol-Ann Canuel.

 

Stevens.

 

Van Der Breggen.

 

Brennauer.

 

Approaching the finish, it was clear Villumsen was going to beat Armstrong’s time. The only question was by how much.

 

The kiwi stopped the clock at 40:29 with 20 seconds to spare on the American. Armstrong was still on the podium but had lost gold.

 

Duyck was 1:19 down on Villumsen, good for 9th overall.

 

Garfoot was just 9 seconds off Villumsen, knocking Armstrong down to bronze with 5 more riders, including the entire 2014 podium, yet to finish.

 

Silver medalist in Ponferrada, Hanna Solovey ended up in 16th.

 

Stevens, also looking for a medal and to get to Rio, came up short and was 6 seconds behind Armstrong (26 seconds behind Villumsen), 6th overall.

 

 

Watching the clock, Van Der Breggen looked on pace to reach the podium. Her time was 2.5 seconds slower than Villumsen’s, bumping Armstrong off the podium.

 

Brennauer held on for as long as she could but finished 5 seconds behind the kiwi.

 

Bronze for Brennauer, the 2014 TT champion.

 

Van Der Breggen claimed her second silver of the 2015 World Championships and will look to Saturday’s road race for another medal.

 

Villumsen, already with 2 silvers and 3 bronzes, finally got the sought after gold medal and rainbow jersey.

 

1st Linda Villumsen

2nd Anna Van Der Breggen

3rd Lisa Brennauer