Michael Hepburn wins bronze despite losing time at 2011 World Championships – Cycling Update
Australian rider Michael Hepburn managed to secure a bronze medal at the under-23 Men’s time trial despite the delay he had to face because of changing bikes. He was looking good for the silver but because of an early crash he lost important time and settled
for the bronze at the World Championships 2011.
He finished 46 seconds behind his countryman and the race leader Luke Durbridge as Danish rider Rasmus Christian Quaade finished second. Hepburn told cycling news that the bike change has cost him crucial time as he mentioned that he lost his rhythm and
momentum because of the changeover but also admits that he was never a contestant for the gold medal as Luke Durbridge was way ahead of him.
Hepburn started riding at an early age as he won the under-23 Australian Open Road Championships when he was 18 and also was the member of team who won the UCI Track Cycling World Championships last year. Hepburn broke the 300 metres under-19 World Record
during the Australian Track Championships 2009. He secured a gold medal at the Team Pursuit and a bronze medal at the Individual pursuit during the Commonwealth Games 2010. He is looking to find his spot at a UCI professional team and his next goal is the
2012 London Olympics.
The 20-year-old stated that winning the gold medal or the silver medal is not much of a difference as he said, "The difference between second and third is not a huge deal to me. Obviously if I thought it had cost me the rainbow jersey I'd be hugely disappointed,
but I don't think it did. Luke was too strong and hats off to Rasmus Quaade. He performed with the home pressure."
The Australian is now concentrating at the under-23 road race and he believes it to be a difficult target than the time trials as he said, “I said before that I prepared 50 per cent for the time trial and 50 per cent for the road race, but for me it was
always more about the road race."
Michael believes that the Australian squad is strong and well balanced with the most talented riders in the sport. The only thing that lacks in the team is a sprinter. It will be interesting to see how the Australian team proceeds at the Championships as
they already have got an ideal start.
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