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75th World Championships - CM
Varese, Italy, September 23-28, 2008
Main Page Results Race Details Live report Previous Race Next Race
Race 2 - September 24: Women's time trial, 25.15km
Neben knocks out favourites for gold
Soeder and Arndt take second and third
By Bjorn Haake, with additonal reporting from Hedwig Kröner and Gregor Brown in Varese
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After finishing one place out of the medals in last year's World Championships, American Amber Neben surprised the pre-race favourites by setting a time which none of the 13 riders who came after her could beat. One by one they came and went, but after Olympic gold medalist and fellow American Kristin Armstrong came through the line as last rider, Neben's 33:51.35 held fast as the winning time. Austria's Christiane Soeder came closest, just seven seconds slower, and Germany's Judith Arndt completed the podium in third, 21 seconds down on Neben.
Armstrong ended the day in fifth, one place behind a strong Tatiana Antoshina of Russia and one place ahead of Switzerland's Karin Thürig.
Neben worked her way from 5th in the 2005 World Championships time trial up to fourth in last year's event, once again just outside the medals. But her dream finally came true in Varese, and the surprise left Neben speechless. "I don't have any words - I am so excited, so happy. I can't speak right now, I don't know what to say. It's a dream come true."
Neben had an early start time and knew what she had to do in order to have any chance of receiving any kind of medal. "There were 13 riders behind me, so I knew that the only chance to win a medal was to have the best time when I finished. So I did, which was the first positive step."
After that, it was a long agonizing wait, without even having much information about the race. "Then, I was sitting in the hot chair... there was no TV there and I didn't have a good feeling to what was happening in the race and what the time splits were at the other points in the race."
Neben looked a bit tense on the hot chair, not much of a smile despite having posted the best time. After the race she explained why. "I knew who still was to come so you're not going to get too excited until those riders come through. I was praying, waiting, hoping..."
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It was almost a better feeling when she was still out on the parcours, for which she had a lot of praise. "The course was very beautiful, and very challenging. You had to stay on the gas the whole time, keeping the power on, keeping it steady. It was really heavy, so it was hard all the way round. I just tried to stay focused the best that I could, and it has turned out well."
Neben explained what made the difference for her compared to previous World Championships. "With my coach, we worked on my base fitness after the Olympics at home, and then did a 10-day race block here in Europe. My coach designed a really structured build-up for me, and I have to give him a lot of credit. He did a good job getting me ready. Everything has to be perfect - your preparation, your head, your body. It all comes together. It's a fantastic feeling right now."
Soeder gets past Olympic disappointment
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Soeder was visibly excited about her silver medal, especially in light of her Olympic performance, where she came in seventh. "I'm very happy; I had a really good day today because in Beijing it wasn't that good. The course was hard as the beginning was uphill, six kilometres. I tried to not put in a 100 percent of my efforts, so in the finale I had enough energy left to go really fast."
Today's ride felt like compensation for the recent Olympic experience for the Austrian. "This does make up for the lost chance in Beijing. Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes a bad day. Every time trial is a bit different. Today was good for me because in the beginning it was uphill, and in the end I had enough power on the flat. But you never know..."
Soeder was able to move one spot up from her Stuttgart bronze medal in last year's Worlds. Her performance left her more happy over silver than disappointed of only narrowly missing out on gold.
Arndt crowns good season with bronze medal
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Judith Arndt of Germany had a good 2008 season that brought her several wins and dominated the World Cup this year. Now she was able to also add a bronze medal to her nice season memories. "I'm very happy with my third place, as it is at the end of a very long and hard season with a lot of up and downs. I'm surprised, too, because my preparation wasn't really perfect for the time trial, more for the road race on Saturday. The last two days, I was lying in bed and hoping that I would recover until today. Finally, it went well; it was a beautiful course and I'm very happy."
She was especially proud to have made the step on the podium in light of her competitors. "These days, it's more difficult to win a medal in the time trials, because it's more specific. It requires specific training, which wasn't really necessary some years ago. So this medal means more to me than the other three."
But despite the hard work over several months, Arndt is not quite at the end of her season yet. She is still hungry for the ultimate win – in the road race on Saturday. "My form is good, and I look forward to the road race. The other girls on the German national team got first and second in the Tour of Tuscany last week, so that's promising."
Armstrong, Pooley can't repeat Olympic run
Olympic champion Kristin Armstrong was hoping for more than just fifth place. She was so disappointed, she left the scene right away. Her teammate Christine Thorburn, who finished 12th, explained her compatriot's result. "Kristin has been a little bit racked by being Olympic Champion and people are putting a lot of pressure on her and demands on her time. It is not that surprising, after the Olympics it is hard for an Olympic Champion. Cancellara did not even bother coming."
Beijing silver medalist Emma Pooley had also expected a little bit more than eighth place, almost a minute off the pace. "I was hoping for a medal - I'm a bit disappointed with my result. Nothing really went wrong, but I just didn't go fast enough. The course was okay, but I didn't quite have it. Maybe the others just had a really good day, I don't know."
The course was very difficult, with the climb coming at first. It was easy to overdo it and that is what may have happened to Pooley. "Maybe I died off a bit in the second half. I found it easy putting in the effort on the uphill, because you can see what you're doing and it's an obvious effort. But the last bit was rolling downhill gently, with a bit of a headwind. You can't really get into a rhythm until the last ten kilometres. But I couldn't make up anything there, either."
Antoshina made one of the biggest leaps forward. Last year she finished 37th and this year she was fourth, less than two seconds away from a bronze medal at a World Championships. The 26-year-old only turned professional last year, so she undoubtedly will still be talked about in the future.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net
- Christiane Soeder of Austria during her strong ride which left her only seven seconds off the gold medal.
- Soeder looked fast out on the course and she certainly was.
- Soeder did well on the early climb and then never gave up her advantage over the others, except for Neben.
- Amber Neben got down real aero in the flat sections.
- Judith Arndt gave it all in Italy and crowned her great season with a third place finish.
- Soeder rode strongly on the Italian roads.
- Soeder in full concentration out on the road.
- Amber Neben produced a strong ride and made sure the US team got a gold medal once again.
- The podium with (l-r) Soeder (silver), Neben n(gold) and Arndt (bronze).
- Flowers for the podium riders
- Soeder was visibly happy with her second place.
- Soeder celebrates on the podium
- Neben shows her gold medal and wears the rainbow jersey.
- A happy Soeder.
- Christiane Soeder celebrates her silver medal like she won the race.
- Soeder smiles in the Italian sun
Images by AFP Photo
- Amber Neben (USA) stayed "on the gas" the whole time on her way to victory.
- Amber Neben (USA) in her new rainbow striped jersey.
- Neben got a bit emotional which is not surprising considering the tense wait she had before learning she'd won.
- The women's time trial podium: Christiane Soeder of Austria (silver), American Amber Neben (gold) and Judith Arndt of Germany (bronze).
- Amber Neben smiles after winning the gold medal in the time trial.
- Judith Arndt (Germany) was pleased with bronze in the time trial as she was more prepared for the road race.
- Amber Neben (USA) set the best time but had to wait for 13 more riders to finish before knowing that she'd won.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) moved up from bronze last year to the silver in Varese.
Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net
- Anne Samplonious (Canada) concentrates as she goes through the corner
- Tatiana Antoshina (Russia) takes the corner carefully
- Diana Ziliute (Lithuania) is riding her last World Championships, she will retire in 2008
- Emma Johansson (Sweden) was fourteenth on the time trial
- Charlotte Becker (Germany) finished ninth
- Amber Neben (USA) on the way to gold
- Judith Arndt (Germany) took home the bronze medal
- Linda Villumsen (Denmark) finished in tenth place
- Emma Pooley (Great Britain) corners on her way to eighth place
- Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) came thirteenth, 1 minute 20 down on Neben
- Suzanne Ljungskog (Sweden) performed well, with seventh place
- Karin Thurig (Switzerland) was sixth overall
- Christine Thorburn (USA) finished twelfth
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) was seven seconds behind Neben to take silver
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) , Olympic TT Champion, was fifth
- Neben watches the 'Stars and Stripes' hoisted above the podium with tears in her eyes
- The medallists - Soeder, Neben and Arndt salute the crowd in Varese
Images by Riccardo Scanferla
- Hanna Talkanitsa (Belarus) is just 21 years old.
- Grete Treier (Estonia) speeds along the newly paved Italian roads.
- Ellen Van Dijk (Netherlands)
- Vicki Whitelaw (Australia) was Australia's top finisher in 16th.
- Diana Ziliute (Lithuania) finished 15th.
- Anna Zugno (Italy)
- Tatiana Antoshina (Russian Federation) surprised everyone by taking fourth.
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) with her special Olympic champion's time trial helmet.
- Judith Arndt (Germany) on her way to the bronze medal.
- Elena Berlato (Italy)
- Julie Beveridge (Canada) is a blur with speed.
- Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) will turn 50 this Halloween, and still rode into 13th place.
- Amber Neben (USA) paced herself well on the challenging course.
- Neben comes down the finishing straight with the new best time.
- Neben tries to contain her emotions during the US anthem.
- Amber Neben (USA) stands tall on the women's time trial podium.
- Amber Neben (USA) with the winner's bouquet.
- Does this look like a happy person? Amber Neben is thrilled to show off her new medal.
- Amber Neben (USA) waves from the podium.
- A thick layer of new tarmac under the wheels of Amber Neben.
- Bridie O'Donnell (Australia)
- Emma Pooley (Great Britain) finished 8th.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) came close to the win, just seven seconds shy.
Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it
- Anna Zugno (Italy)
- Elena Berlato (Italy)
- Judith Arndt (Germany) shows her time trial form is still good after a long season.
- Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) looking swift on her way to 13th.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) rides her Cervelo to silver.
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) was busy after winning the Olympic gold, and didn't show the freshness required to win in Varese.
- Judith Arndt (Germany) has had a great season, and took the overall World Cup win.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) seemed happy to take silver.
- Neben has worked her entire career for this moment.
- Neben gets a bit misty after taking home the rainbow jersey.
- Amber Neben (USA)
- The women's TT podium
- Neben shows her gold medal to the crowd.
- Neben is sure to allow a good view of her medal to those on the side of the stage.
- Suzanne Ljungskog (Sweden)
- Karin Thurig (Switzerland) finished sixth.
- Elena Berlato (Italy) gets her headband in place.
- The Italians warm up.
- The first rider off was Kathryn Bertine (St. Kitts and Nevis)
- It's important to stay hydrated.
- Mayuko Hagiwara (Japan)
- It's important to pay attention to detail like matching nail polish.
- Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) takes a big drink before heading out for her race.
- Armstrong ties up her hair sure to make every aerodynamic advantage.
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) waits her turn for the start.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) gets set to ride.
- Amber Neben (USA) is ready to go on her winning ride.
- Christiane Soeder (Austria) finishes in second.
- Soeder, Neben and Arndt make up the women's TT podium.
- The women's podium.
Images by Davide Tricarico/LadiesCycling.net
- The Caribbean flavour was provided by Kathryn Bertine, from the island of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Judith Arndt (Germany) sets off on her run
- Linda Villumsen (Denmark) looks relaxed before her run
- Emma Pooley (Great Britain) went into the TT as one of the names to watch
- The evergreeen Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) finished in 13th place, a great effort
- Austria's Christiane Soeder earned herself a silver medal
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) was the defending champion
- Amber Neben (USA) was the surprise victor at day's end
- Judith Arndt (Germany) took a very strong position on the bike
- Emma Pooley (Great Britain) gets very low coming into the finish
- Kristin Armstrong (USA) couldn't repeat her heroics from the Olympics
- Amber Neben (USA) was emotional on the podium
- Another American will wear the world champion's jersey
- The podium (l-r): Christiane Soeder (Austria), Amber Neben (USA), Judith Arndt (Germany)
- The girls on podium look a pretty satisfied lot
- Amber Neben (USA) with the obligatory gold medal pose
Results
1 Amber Neben (United States Of America) 33.51.35 (44.571 km/h) 2 Christiane Soeder (Austria) 0.07.56 3 Judith Arndt (Germany) 0.21.77 4 Tatiana Antoshina (Russian Federation) 0.23.39 5 Kristin Armstrong (United States Of America) 0.25.27 6 Karin Thürig (Switzerland) 0.29.99 7 Susanne Ljungskog (Sweden) 0.57.38 8 Emma Pooley (Great Britain) 0.57.52 9 Charlotte Becker (Germany) 1.03.32 10 Linda Villumsen (Denmark) 1.05.43 11 Anne Samplonius (Canada) 1.07.91 12 Christine Thorburn (United States Of America) 1.17.16 13 Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) 1.20.03 14 Emma Johansson (Sweden) 1.26.31 15 Diana Ziliute (Lithuania) 1.35.83 16 Vicki Whitelaw (Australia) 1.36.23 17 Julie Beveridge (Canada) 1.53.56 18 Martina Ruzickova (Czech Republic) 2.02.24 19 Sharon Laws (Great Britain) 2.03.06 20 Ellen Van Dijk (Netherlands) 2.11.46 21 Regina Bruins (Netherlands) 2.14.52 22 Pascale Schnider (Switzerland) 2.15.64 23 Bridie O'Donnell (Australia) 2.16.73 24 Alexis Rhodes (Australia) 2.21.11 25 Kirsten Wild (Netherlands) 2.26.84 26 Edwige Pitel (France) 2.37.03 27 Grete Treier (Estonia) 2.40.05 28 Jarmila Machacova (Czech Republic) 2.46.30 29 An Van Rie (Belgium) 2.50.22 30 Marta Vilajosana Andreu (Spain) 2.52.06 31 Trine Schmidt (Denmark) 2.59.46 32 Eneritz Iturriaga Echevarria Mazaga (Spain) 3.04.02 33 Alexandra Burchenkova (Russian Federation) 3.15.01 34 Daiva Tuslaite (Lithuania) 3.20.07 35 Mayuko Hagiwara (Japan) 3.31.31 36 Anna Zugno (Italy) 3.41.23 37 Elena Berlato (Italy) 3.55.35 38 Bogumila Matusiak (Poland) 4.22.49 39 Olivia Dillon (Ireland) 4.25.06 40 Hanna Talkanitsa (Belarus) 5.09.88 41 Kathryn Bertine (Saint Kitts and Nevis) 5.20.61 42 Heather Wilson (Ireland) 5.22.56 43 Polona Batagelj (Slovenia) 8.37.31
