Ellen van Dijk has become world time trial champion for the third time in Wollongong, Australia. The cyclist from Woerden was clearly the fastest over 34 kilometers in a time of 44 minutes and 28 seconds.
The silver went to Australian Grace Brown, who crossed the finish line 12 seconds after Van Dijk. The Swiss Marlen Reusser, the European champion, was third in 41 seconds.
Annemiek van Vleuten was disappointing with the seventh fastest time. Shirin van Anrooij finished thirteenth and also failed to win the U23 world title. Italy’s Vittoria Guazzini was the fastest among the under-23 riders. Van Anrooij, who had beaten Guazzini at the European Championships in July, had to settle for silver this time.
Van Dijk was previously the best in the world in 2013 (Florence) and last year in Bruges. In May of this year, the Trek-Segafredo rider also captured the prestigious world hour record.
Van Vleuten, the winner of the Vuelta, was already 26 seconds slower at the first measuring point than Brown, who started before her, who had long hoped for her first world title. Both had started early and also knew that favorites such as Reusser and Van Dijk still had to come into action. The defending champion was already faster than Brown after 7 kilometers and already extended her lead to 22 seconds at the second intermediate point. (ANP)
