WAIS Athletes Medal in Team Time-Trial Events
WAIS athletes have medalled in both the women’s and men’s team time-trial events at the Road World Championships in the Netherlands.
The Orica-AIS women’s team that included WA’s Melissa Hoskins won silver, whilst fellow WAIS athletes Luke Durbridge and Cameron Meyer rode for the men’s Orica-GreenEDGE team that crossed the line with the third fastest time for bronze.
Orica-AIS earned the silver medal in the team time trial at the Road World Championships on Sunday. Crossing the finish line in Valkenburg in 46:55:82, the Australian outfit averaged a blistering pace of 43.72 kilometres/hour.
“The girls turned themselves inside out riding at the speed required to win, and we were still beaten,” said Sports Director Martin Barras. “We were initially and remain a bit deflated but are also very proud of the effort we left on the road. Silver is a mixed bag. We knew what we waned and what we had to do to get it.”
2011 Time Trial World Champion Judith Arndt led Melissa Hoskins, Loes Gunnewijk, Linda Villumsen, Alex Rhodes and Shara Gillow off of the start line in Sittard. At the first checkpoint, less than a second separated ORICA-AIS from eventual winners Specialized-lululemon.
The gap between the gold and silver medallists would grow to 24 seconds over 34.2 kilometres before the finish. AA Drink – leontien.nl, in bronze, finished 1:35 behind ORICA-AIS.
“Our technique was great today,” said Barras. “We had a great pacing plan, and all the girls knew what to do in all circumstances.”
Orica-GreenEDGE rounded out the podium at the team time trial at the Road World Championships on Sunday. The six-man squad covered the 53.2 kilometre course in 1:04:07. The Australian outfit claimed the bronze medal with an average speed of 50.25 kilometres per hour.
“The boys were happy to earn a medal, but we came here to win,” said Sports Director Matt White. “We weren’t good enough to take the win on the day. We gave it everything and executed our plan well, but two teams went faster.”
At the first time split, Orica-GreenEDGE remained within striking distance of the race win. Gradually, the gap between the top times widened. At the finish, Omega Pharma-Quickstep had put 47 seconds into the bronze medallists. BMC took silver three seconds behind the victors.
“We needed to increase our general speed through the middle section,” noted White. “There’s not much else we did wrong. It was little details here and there that add up. Technique wise, I’m happy with how the guys rode.”
Orica-GreenEDGE crossed the line with four riders, the fourth of whom determines the team’s time.
“We knew Sam Bewley had limited preparation coming off the track,” explained White. “His job was to give 100% in the first 35 kilometers, and he did well with that. Jens Mouris is the biggest guy in the WorldTour, so we weren’t counting on him getting over the Cauberg with the group. Our time trial specialists — Svein Tuft, Luke Durbridge and Cameron Meyer – gave huge turns towards the finish, and Sebastian Langeveld gave everything he could to match their efforts.”
White is pleased to see the team time trial return to the Road World Championships.
“It’s a great event,” he said. “We haven’t seen it at the World Championships for 18 years, and it was only ever raced by nations. It was a good choice to bring back the event and showcase this particular discipline. We’re proud to come away with a bronze medal in the inaugural trade team event.”