This Sunday morning, the Wollongang World Cycling Championships will start with the elite women's time trial. The best riders in the world are present to conquer the rainbow jersey, Comme Ellen van Dijk, Marlen Reusser or encore Annemiek van Vleuten.
A tiring and unprecedented plot
On this time trial, participants must complete two laps of the circuit, which make in total 34,2 kilometers. This is the longest route in the history of the competition for women. On this circuit, the route is quite hilly. Indeed, in the first part of the circuit, the riders will ride in wearing portions at 3, 4 %, before climbing the hump of Dumphries Ave. This little coast is long 700 meters for about 6,7% that he ran on a traditional bicycle, with passages to 10 %.
A short ascent, but which will highlight the form of each of the participants. It is probably in this bump that the new world time trial champion will be revealed.. The second part of the circuit is less hilly, but is still demanding. The rollers will first descend in altitude to approach the coast of Wollongang and take a long straight line.
However, before reaching the finish line, they have to cross a very small bump of 200 meters, with a maximum percentage of 11%.
In short, a difficult course, which could lead to very significant differences between the participants.
Big favorites :
Ellen van Dyke
The Dutchwoman is one of the big favorites in the time trial, and for good reason ! She is the reigning world champion, a title obtained in Bruges, devant Marlen Reusser and Annemiek van Vleuten. In 2022, the Dutchman had a very good season. Indeed, she has won four individual times out of the five she has achieved this year.
Mostly, she achieved the feat of setting a new hour record this 23 last May in Grenchen, with an average speed of 49,254 kilometers per hour. Despite a hilly course, she will be among the fastest, and could why not afford a third title of world champion.
Marlen Reusser
Marlen Reusser wants the rainbow jersey, and can do it. If the Swiss was crowned European champion twice, including this year in Munich last August, the Swiss has never managed to take the last step so far. World Vice-Champion in 2020 and 2021, and Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo in the summer 2021, Reusser now wants to reach the heights and follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Karin Thurig, double world champion in the specialty in 2004 and 2005.
This year, the Swiss was crowned European champion, in front of the world champion of the specialty. But she says she was not in good shape that day :
“I didn't feel very well. I was not comfortable. I didn't feel like I was going very fast.”
Marlen Reusser, at the microphone of James Odvart of Directvélo after the European time trial championships.
Better prepared in Australia than in Munich, where she made her return to competition after her concussion during the Tour de France Women, Marlen Reusser should be in top form this Sunday, and maybe realize his biggest dream almost 31 years.
Annemiek van Vleuten
So far, Annemiek van Vleuten has had an exceptional season. Indeed, the Dutch was the winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, from Women's Giro d'Italia, from Tour de France Women, and you Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta two weeks ago. In addition to being the queen of the mountain, van Vleuten is a great time trial specialist. She was indeed double world champion in the time trial., in 2017 in Bergen and 2018 in Innsbruck.
Furthermore, van Vleuten achieves the feat of winning the time trial of the Olympic Games in Tokyo three years later, Devant Reusser et van Dijk.
INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRE BALMER, Annemiek van Vleuten is certainly no longer world champion in this event, but remains very strong in this area. The tiring and hilly course corresponds very well to the exceptional capacities of the Dutchwoman, who could afford a third rainbow jersey, once again improving its huge track record.
The other contenders to follow :
Christian Faulkner
The American only arrived in the professional peloton in 2020, but already shows great potential. Indeed, in 2022, Faulkner showed rolling qualities, by winning the time trial Tour of Switzerland and the prologue of Round. A 29 years, the American is taking part in her first world championships and could surprise many. Indeed, the course suits Faulkner well, who is also a good climber.
Leah Thomas
The American selection, already strong with the presence of Kristen Faulkner, can also count on Leah Thomas. Indeed, the experienced runner 33 years can boast of having a great experience in timed exercise. During his career, she ranked 5th best in the world time trial in Innsbruck.
Tonight, the one who runs at the Trek – Segafredo could pocket a first international medal, at 33 years.
Grace Brown
Grace Brown is one of the spearheads of the FDJ – SUEZ – Futuroscope. Second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège this year, derrière Annemiek van Vleuten, Australian returns home, in order to bring back a medal to his country. 4th in the Olympic Games chrono last year, the australian, good timed exercise specialist, should shine on this course which suits him very well.
Juliette Labous
A 24 years, Juliette Labous is one of the best French riders in the peloton, if not the best. She is indeed a very good climber but also a very good time trial specialist.. Last year, the Franche-Comté was ranked eighth in the Olympic Games and 6th in the last world championships in Flanders.
In 2022, Juliette Labous had a very good season. Winner of the women's Tour de Burgos and 4th in the women's Tour de France, the Frenchwoman could end her season in style by bringing France a medal. Indeed, the rather hilly layout of this chrono suits it rather well.
Victory Guazzini
at 21 years, Vittoria Guazzini is one of the great hopes of Italian women's cycling. Vice-champion of Italy and vice-champion of Europe hopes this year, the FDJ runner – SUEZ – Futuroscope will take part in its second elite time trial world championships. She could do a good result and surprise a lot of people in Wollongang.
Shirin van Anrooij
In the powerful Dutch selection, composée de van Vleuten et de la tenant du titre van Dijk, voici Shirin van Anrooij ! just 20 years, the trek runner – Segafredo will participate in its first timed exercise world championships. World junior cyclo-cross champion 2020, and Dutch and European Champion of the time trial under 23 years, the Goes native is one of the biggest hopes in Dutch women's cycling.
In Australia, the Dutch should gain experience and why not shine, alongside his illustrious compatriots.
