Judith Arndt claims time trial at UCI World Championships 2011- Cycling Update
The German professional cyclists Judith Arndt displayed her powerful skills during the rain affected ride in the time trial race at UCI World Championships 2011 on Tuesday, September 20.
The 35-year-old Arndt took a total of 37 minutes and 7.38 seconds to cover the rainy distance of 27.8 kilometres and easily beat Linda Villumsen (New Zealand). She secured the silver medal in the race with difference of 21.73 seconds.
Outgoing Champion Emma Pooley of Garmin-Cervelo showed a good effort and gained a lead in seven cyclists but secured third spot with a difference of 24.13 seconds.
Arndt said, "I won my first medal in the time trial in 1997 and since then I have tried to win the gold medal. I can't tell you how much it means to me. It's really a long time coming and finally it worked out."
After the first lap the former Olympic speed-skater turned cyclist Clara Hughes was in stronger form over the second half but took fifth place with 36.79 seconds. Tara Whitten was the third Canadian to post the quickest time and followed the two cyclists Arndt and Pooley in the last circuit. However, Arndt increased her pace and crossed the final line first ahead of the other riders. She rode a brilliant race and dominated at the end.
There were a lot of corners and the wet course created problems for the cyclists but Arndt controlled the situation and did not face any mechanical issues. She explained, "The bike [her HTC-Highroad Specialized Shiv-ed] was working perfectly. I didn't have to think about it, I just concentrated on having a perfect race.”
Recently, Arndt took the runner-up spot in the Grand Prix Elsy Jacobs. She also took third place in La Fleche Wallonne Feminine and fifth place in Holland Ladies Tour in 2008.
Marianne Vos was in tenth place with a difference of 55.77 seconds ahead of Ina Teutenberg (Germany) and Shara Gillow (Australia).
The next time trial race will cover the distance of 46.4 kilometres and it will start and finish in Copenhagen.
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