Linda Villumsen Wins Women’s World Time Trial Title

New Zealander Linda Villumsen, 30, has won the women’s individual time-trial at the World Road Cycling Championships in Richmond, United States.

Villumsen who won last year’s Commonwealth Games time-trial, captured the world crown by completing the 29.9km course in 40mins 29.87secs. Dutch star Anna Van der Breggen was the runner-up, 2.54 seconds back, with 2014 world champion Lisa Brennauer of Germany third, 5.26 off the pace.

“I just can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it,” Villumsen said. “Everything has turned out my way. It’s incredible.”

Denmark-born Villumsen, who became a New Zealand citizen six years ago, was third at the worlds in 2009, 2010 and 2012, and second in 2011 and 2013. She was also fourth at the 2012 London Olympics, missing a medal by less than two seconds.

“It’s difficult being every time on the podium and nearly there and not quite there and almost there,” she said. “It all worked out my way today and it feels great.”

Racing over the longest women’s world time-trial course in 20 years helped, Villumsen said. “I like a longer course. Usually I fade out a little bit. On a longer course I hold myself back.”

Even after she moved into the lead, she was scared she might miss out again until her dream finally came true. “I don’t really know how I did it. I could only think: ‘go as fast as I can. At the end, I was like, ‘I’m not going to say anything until the last rider is across.’”

Original article by AFP/de, Channel News Asia, September 23, 2015.

Photo by Casey Gibson.