The man just got into some awesome speed to successfully defend his time-trial crown at the Road World Championships in Stuttgart. Last year, he also ended the three-year reign of Australia’s Michael Rogers. The Swiss rider, Cancellara who wore the leader’s yellow jersey after winning the prologue for the first week of this year’s Tour de France, covered the bumpy 44.9-kilometre trek clocking 55 minutes and 44 seconds.
The Hungarian Laszlo Bodrogi was 52 seconds behind on the second spot and Stef Clement of Netherland spotted the third place, 58 seconds back.
Amid overcast and chilly conditions, Cancellara overtook Vladimir Gusev even though the Russian started one minute before him.
His superiority was such that he overtook last year’s silver medalist David Zabriskie of the United States, who also started two minutes earlier and faded to 12th spot.
Last year’s bronze medalist, Vinokourov was not part of the race following drug violation at the Tour de France.
Meanwhile, Britain’s representatives, Bradley Wiggins and David Millar finished 10th and 18th respectively and none looked happy, but they need not be so as Wiggins’ top 10 result guarantees Great Britain two starters in the Beijing Olympics for the men’s time trial event.
At the end Cancellara said,
It was a hard thing, there was bigger pressure on me than last year. I am not in the same condition as last year. I’m pretty satisfied ... We will drink a glass of champagne or more.
However, the ongoing championships continue on Saturday with women’s and under-23 men’s road race.
The elite men’s road race ends the event on Sunday.
Via: BBC
