Worlds ITT

Belarusian rider from Movistar Team only beaten by unattainable Martin (gold) and Phinney (silver) at a tough individual time trial of the World Championships in Limburg

Movistar Team have taken their first medal in the World Championships held this week in the Dutch region of Limburg with the bronze claimed by Vasil Kiryienka in the 45.7-kilometer individual time trial from Heerlen to Valkenburg. The Belarusian rider ended in 3rd place after spending more than one hour in the hot seat for the best provisional times, author of a progressive effort where his good times at the intermediate points led him to the lead at the finish after one hour and twenty-three seconds of effort.

Eventually, the close fight between Tony Martin -gold medal, 58.38- and Taylor Phinney -silver, just five seconds behind- took the telephone squad’s rider into an outstanding third place on the podium, confirming the good abilities that made him finish just out of the top ten one-and-a-half months ago in the London Olympics TT. In turn, Jonathan Castroviejo (22nd) and Ignatas Konovalovas (44th) struggled to find their best pace in a time trial with several pace changes, variable, gusty wind and intense rain for some stages of the race.