ORICA-GreenEDGE performed the Team Time Trial
18 September 2012
ORICA-GreenEDGE and ORICA-GreenEDGE AIS performed the Team Time Trial at the Road World Championships this week-end. The six-man squad covered the 53.2 kilometer course in 1:04:07 to claim the bronze medal with an average speed of 50.25 kilometers per hour and the six-woman squad earned the silver crossing the finish line in Valkenberg in 46:55:82, the Australian outfit averaged a blistering pace of 43.72 kilometers/hour.
"The boys were happy to earn a medal, but we came here to win," said Sports Director Matt White. "We weren't good enough to take the win on the day. We gave it everything and executed our plan well, but two teams went faster."
Photo Credits : Graham Watson
At the first time split, ORICA-GreenEDGE remained within striking distance of the race win. Gradually, the gap between the top times widened. At the finish, Omega Pharma-Quickstep had put 47 seconds into the bronze medalists. BMC took silver three seconds behind the victors.
ORICA-GreenEDGE crossed the line with four riders, the fourth of whom determines the team's time.
"The girls turned themselves inside out riding at the speed required to win, and we were still beaten," said Sports Director Martin Barras. "We were initially and remain a bit deflated but are also very proud of the effort we left on the road. Silver is a mixed bag. We knew what we wanted and what we had to do to get it."
Photo Credits : Graham Watson
2011 Time Trial World Champion Judith Arndt led Melissa Hoskins, Loes Gunnewijk, Linda Villumsen, Alex Rhodes and Shara Gillow off of the start line in Sittard. At the first checkpoint, less than a second separated ORICA-AIS from eventual winners Specialized-lululemon. The gap between the gold and silver medalists would grow to 24 seconds over 34.2 kilometers before the finish. AA Drink - leontien.nl, in bronze, finished 1:35 behind ORICA-AIS.
While the team rose to every challenge they faced, Barras noted luck may not have been on their side.
It is the first time in 18 years that the team time trial has returned to the World Championships. Last raced as an event contested by nations, the discipline was turned over to trade teams this year.
