Linda Villumesen Takes Time Trial Gold in Glasgow

Linda Villumsen, 29, dug deep in the final stages of the time-trial to beat professional cyclist Briton Emma Pooley by six seconds, winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Villumson finished with a time of 42 minutes 25.46 seconds over the 29.6km course.

She was able to banish the memory of New Dehli, where she had to settle for silver four years ago reported the Express Tribune.

“It is just incredible; it’s something I’ve worked hard for over the last four years now,” said the 29-year-old, who was second in last year’s world championships.

“I’m always nearly there every year at the Olympics or the world championships, but always missed. I came here thinking that it could happen again but today [Thursday] finally everything worked out from start to finish so I’m really happy.”

Villumsen told the NZ Herald that she was proud to hear God Defend New Zealand on the podium.

“It was incredible – it’s the first time the anthem’s been for me. I normally hear everyone else’s anthems and not my own.”

England’s Emma Pooley, in her final race before retirement, got silver while Australia’s Katrin Garfoot took the bronze.

Amongst other medals won this week, David Bishop, 24, ended a 16-year medal drought in gymnastics winning bronze in the men’s floor. Anton Cooper, 19, beat fellow New Zealander Samuel Gaze to earn himself gold in the men’s mountain bike race and New Zealand’s double Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams, 29, claimed her third Commonwealth gold medal.

Original article by Matt Mcgeehan, Press Association, July 31, 2014.