Ellen van Dijk just missed the gold medal on Wednesday in the time trial at the European Championships in Munich. On the 24 kilometer course, the Swiss Marlen Reusser was almost six seconds faster than the 35-year-old Dutch, who also finished second last year. Her compatriot Riejanne Markus took the bronze.
World champion Van Dijk, who successfully attacked the world hour record in May and became Dutch champion in June, was slower than defending champion Reusser on all intermediate points. The Swiss was the only participant to dive under 31 minutes with a time of 30.59.90. The podium was completed by Markus, who took her first individual European Championship medal. On Sunday, both Van Dijk and Markus will be at the start of the road race.
Later on Wednesday, the men will also take part in the time trial. Jos van Emden takes action on behalf of the Netherlands.