The best amateur riders on the planet, qualified through the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, faced off on Monday in the individual time trial around Dundee and the coastal landscapes of Angus county, in Scotland.
After last week's Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races, 517 riders took on the 22.8 km individual time trial designed for specialists, with only 89 metres of elevation gain. Men and women of the different age categories were vying for one of the 22 rainbow jerseys up for grabs.
The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are part of the UCI Cycling World Championships being held in Glasgow and across Scotland through until 13 August.
Great Britain’s Simon Wilson (27'05") and Norway’s Sonja Moi (31'08") set the best times of the day. Great Britain won eight rainbow jerseys; Sylvan Adams (ISR) took home a second gold in the Men 65-69 class after winning the Medio Fondo on Friday, while Jeannie Longo (FRA) added a new title to her extraordinary list of achievements.
Absolutely spoiling us with this scenery 😍 The best amateur cyclists in the world take on the Gran Fondo Time Trial through the beautiful Dundee and Angus. 🌈@AngusCouncil | @DundeeCouncil #GlasgowScotland2023 pic.twitter.com/RkOiNZ7ehy
— 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (@CyclingWorlds) August 7, 2023
Women's time trial
19-34: Jessica Rhodes-Jones (GBR) brought the British clan’s incredible women's session to a climax with her fourth title in the speciality. Lisanne Heemskerk-Immerzeel (NED) took second place ahead of Slovenian Laura Šimenc, who has already won the rainbow and this time takes bronze.
35-39: Germany scored twice with Kimberly Miller (first) and Laura Tibitanzl, who stood out ahead of Sweden's Jenny Asplund.
40-44: the tightest battle of the day in the Women’s categories saw Poland's Anna Rzasowska squeeze to victory by 9”, ahead of Jennifer George (GBR). Another Briton, Rebecca Seal, completed the podium.
45-49: UCI World Champion in the 40-44 class last year while setting the best time across all women’s categories, Sonja Moi (NOR) added a new title to her record in 31'08”, ahead of Jeannie Blakemore (NZL) and Naomi de Pennington (GBR).
50-54: underlining Germany’s strength at the top, Adelheid Schütz got the better of the USA’s Molly Van Houweling, former holder of the UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot, and Marijke De Smedt (BEL).
55-69: Angela Carpenter (GBR) was the first to average more than 40km/h as she took victory, more than a minute ahead of Norway's Elin Grønvik. Third place was a matter of a few hundredths of a second between Ivana Cicchelli (third) and her Australian compatriot Anne Elliot.
60-64: Briton Sarah Matthews won ahead of Ruth Clemence (USA) and another Briton, Andrea Nightingale.
65-69: Silver medalist in the road race, the eternal Jeannie Longo (FRA) won a new UCI World title ahead of Great Britain's Linda Dewhurst, followed on the podium by the USA’s Diane Schleicher.
70-74: New Zealander Marry Cullen won against her two opponents, Vanessa Cooney (USA) and Gisèle Thureau (FRA)
80-84: The only participant in this age category, Sarah Powers (USA) covered the 22.8 kilometers of the course at an average speed of more than 28 km/h to claim the title of UCI World Champion.
Men’s time trial
19-34: the only Belgian victory of the day went to Guillaume Seye ahead of Espen Helgesen (NOR) and Will Lowden (GBR).
35-39: Liechtenstein, represented by Michele Paonne, tasted the joys of the rainbow jersey with a victory over Wojciech Szczepanik (POL) and Jonny Allen (GBR).
40-44: Great Britain won an eighth title thanks to Simon Wilson. Behind, Paul Kennedy (IRL) and Jeppe Heinfelt Tolbøll (DEN) took second and third, respectively.
45-49: Andy Critchlow (GBR) took the UCI World Champion crown. The other two steps on the podium were occupied by Jone Ellingsen (NOR) and Matthew Smith (GBR).
50-54: 16 seconds separated the top three riders in the category, with Latvia’s Girts Vevers taking gold ahead of the Spaniard Paul Patiño and the Briton Richard Brook.
55-59: Richard Oakes (GBR) won another UCI World title ahead of Michael Schaefer (GER) and Robert Nunes (CRC).
60-64: Kevin Tye (USA) was the first to duck under 30 minutes to win against Brendan Sullivan (USA) and Mike Twelves (GBR).
65-69: two gold medals in a few days for Sylvan Adams (ISR)! The owner of the UCI WorldTeam Israel–Premier Tech won the time trial after the road race. Spain’s Javier Benet Fàbregas and the USA’s Gary Painte joined him on the podium.
70-74: Paul Mowery gave the USA their first male title of the day, ahead of France’s Gilles Pellet and Austria’s Johann Taucher. Five riders finished within one minute of the best time!
75-79: Three seconds is the nominal gap between the new UCI World Champion Andre Petipas (FRA) and his runner-up Ed Chamberlin (USA). John Horsburgh (AUS) took third place.
80-84: At 83, Marcel Eve (FRA) triumphed more than 8' ahead of his rivals, Robert McGowan (GBR) and Herbert Lackner (AUT), thanks to an average speed of 36.37km/h.
85-89 years: an impressive average of 29.3km/h for the only contender for the title, Great Britain’s Brian Lewis.