Report: Olympic Women’s Time Trial

Kristin Armstrong defends her Olympic title whilst Pooley is back in 6th & Armitstead 10th

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

The USA’s Kristin Armstrong has won the Women’s time trial on a power course that suited her well. It was not a good day for the Brits with Beijing Olympic Silver medallist Emma Pooley back in sixth place and Lizzie Armistead, a self confessed non time trialist back in 10th.

Kristin Armstrong, winner of the Women’s Olympic TT.  Photo: Rob Lampard (Velostar)

Starting from Hampton Court, the 24 women left the hands of former professional Matt Stephens in the start house one by one after being counted down by well known British official Trevor Reade.

Ahead of the riders was 29 kilometres on a fast course suited to the power riders like Armstrong who attacked the race against the watch with a high cadence. With long wide straight roads lined by tens of thousands of people, Armstrong was fastest through all the checks whilst German World Champion Judith Ardnt paced her effort well, getting faster and faster as she went through the time checks out on the road.

The surprise for many, was the bronze medallist from the road race, Olga Zabelinskaya, who sat in the gilded ‘hot seats’ for most of the event until Ardnt crossed the line. Just as surprising was the ride by Marianne Vos who started with a sprint from the start house but then slowed and was eventually caught by her German rival Ardnt.

Judith Ardnt of Germany. Photo: Rob Lampard (Velostar)

For Pooley though, the smiles seen in the start house as the crowd gave her a big cheer turned to huge disappointment as she struggled to get the words out with BBC’s Jill Douglas after her ride. “You ride your best, and I’m pretty disappointed, but if someone else is faster then they deserve to win and good on them. I had such fantastic support out there and I’ve never felt so much noise in a time trial before.”

Lizzie Armitstead though was philosophical about her 10th place describing the ride in a time trial as awful. “You have to put yourself through some dark dark places in your mind in a race like that. I saw 10k to go and thought it can’t be. I have never felt such pain in my whole upper body. Hats off to the girl who wins.”

Emma Pooley. Photo: Rob Lampard (Velostar)

Olga Zabelinskaya. Photo: Rob Lampard (Velostar)

Lizzie Armitstead.  Photo: Rob Lampard (Velostar)

Result

1 ARMSTRONG Kristin 37:34.82
2 ARNDT Judith 37:50.29
3 ZABELINSKAYA Olga 37:57.35
4 VILLUMSEN Linda Melanie 37:59.18
5 HUGHES Clara 38:28.96
6 POOLEY Emma 38:37.70
7 NEBEN Amber 38:45.17
8 van DIJK Ellen 38:53.68
9 WORRACK Trixi 39:20.73
10 ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth 39:26.24
11 SUNDSTEDT Pia 40:01.69
12 ANTOSHINA Tatiana 40:12.49
13 GILLOW Shara 40:25.03
14 JOHANSSON Emma 40:38.56
15 CORDON Audrey 40:40.51
16 VOS Marianne 40:40.79
17 FAHLIN Emilia 41:15.86
18 FERNANDES SILVA Clemilda 41:25.39
19 RAMSDEN Denise 41:44.81
20 TCHALYKH Elena 41:47.06
21 GUDERZO Tatiana 41:48.94
22 CANTELE Noemi 41:51.18
23 de VOCHT Liesbet 42:08.28
24 MOOLMAN Ashleigh 42:23.57

 

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: , , ,