CYCLING; Report on the time trials

cycling time trial

 

 

The men’s and women’s road time trials were looking very interesting. With part of the same course as the road race, it was to be hilly and tough for all. The Grumari circuit, 2 laps for the men, 1 for the women.

With the women going first, the favourite was Kristin Armstrong, already double Olympic time trial champion, could she take a third Olympic title?  Britain’s hopes were with Emma Pooley and there was the road race champion from Saturday, Anna van der Breggen who posed a threat to Armstrong.

There isn’t much to talk about in the actual race, with everyone setting off 30 seconds apart it meant that there were a few overtakes but that was it. One Dutch rider lost control a little and ended up rolling into the undergrowth but then continued and finished 4th.

With Kristin Armstrong last on the road, everyone was anticipating something great from her. Leading until Armstrong came through, Olga Zabelinskaya, had a good ride on the wet course. Armstrong took the victory and made history by taking her third Olympic time trial title. Being the oldest cyclist at Rio, it is an amazing achievement. Kristin Armstrong first, Olga Zabelinskaya in second and road race Olympic champion Anna van der Breggen third.

The men’s time trial was interesting. With half of the riders starting and then a gap before the second half containing all of the favourites started. The time checks on the course proved interesting, when favourites Fabian Cancellara, Christopher Froome and Tom Dumoulin were all down on the time of the men before them. Other big names like Rohan Dennis and Tony Martin didn’t have their best rides, with Dennis having a mechanical problem and losing time and potentially a medal. In the end, Cancellara won by a sizeable distance and Tom Dumoulin finished second nursing a wrist injury. Britain’s Christopher Froome finished third, like he did in London in 2012 on the changeable course from the weather.

 


mEGANBio:  I have been racing cross county mountain bike at regional level for 4 years now, stepping it up to national level two years ago. I have been on Scottish Youth Performance squads for three years and this year I have been selected to represent Scotland at the Inter-regional mountain championships. I am a level one coach in cycling. In school I do a lot of work with the PE department and I am one of my schools Young Ambassadors who deals with sport within the school and community. I am on the Young Ambassador Conference Team with SportScotland and I also write my own blog (www.beingagirlmtber.wordpress.com).