Junior Kiwis in the action, not just the good action

One of the many crashes early in the race ©Graham Watson

Sep 24th, 11. Sophie Williamson impressed with her smart positioning throughout the Junior women's road race at the Worlds today despite losing her Kiwi teammate very early on.

Within the first 5min of the 70km race, there were two crashes in the 74 rider peloton.

In the second, NZ's Georgia Williams was caught out by barriers which looked to move inwards, narrowing the road.

She went over her handlebars, with the newly crowned World Time Trial Champion from Australia following her.

Wiliams was later taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.  RoadCycling.co.nz understands her injuries are not too serious. She has her parents with her in Copenhagen. (Update on Georgia ...)

Unaffected by these crashes, and others that followed, fellow Kiwi Williamson kept in a great position at the front of fast paced race - the average speed was 40kph.

Williamson stayed up the front of the peloton ©Graham Watson

The race looked to be decided when Italy's Rossella Ratto and Germany's Mieke Krüger were able to build up a lead of over 20sec within the last 5km.

Only Great Britain's Lucy Garner was willing to risk everything to try and chase them down in the hope of gaining the bronze medal.

In the end it was Garner who took the gold medal.

The first year U19 rider was caught by the peloton while the leading duo were still out in front, but the ensuing attacks and counter attacks, as the riders fought for the minor placing, had the effect of reeling in Ratto and Krüger.

Winner Lucy Garner ©Graham Watson

"I didn't expect this. The team really worked well and I just stayed sheltered. On the last lap, with the two riders in front, I still tried to go on the last lap with 5km to go, but I did not manage it.

"I was quite surprised that we caught the two in front as the chase was not very organised, but as soon as we had them in sight I knew then that we would catch them, and we did at the bottom of the finishing hill," explained Garner at the post race press conference.

She too was caught up in one of the early crashes. She crossed the finish line with a bloodied knee as proof.

Williamson finished 18th in the uphill sprint finale with the same time as the winner. The medallist from the recent UCI Junior Track World Championships proved she can also have a great future in road cycling.

After her race, Williamson watched her brother compete in the U23 mens' road race where he had bad luck when he was caught behind a small pile up towards the end of the race.

The silver medal went to Jessy Druyts of Belgium, while Christina Siggaard earned bronze.

UCI World Road Championships

• Road race results from the UCI Road World Championships
• New World Road Champion Mark Cavendish
• Kiwis Worlds foiled by crash
• Jack Bauer ready for Worlds challenge
• Linda Villumsen races to plan
• Crashes hold junior Kiwis back
• Disappointment for U23 Kiwi men
• Junior Kiwis in the action, not just the good action
• Start lists for the road race events
• Kiwi family has two riders to cheer at the Worlds
• All time trial results
• Tony Martin delivers a World Champion performance
• Big images of the Kiwis in action
• Jack Bauer happy with Top 20 performance
• UCI name Jesse Sergent as one of the favourites
• Silver success for Linda Villumsen
• Stunning silver medal for James Oram
• Junior Kiwis benefit from World Champs merger
• Two Kiwis 6th best TT times in the World
• Aussies steal all the action on Day 1 
• Women's elite TT start list
• NZ team and race schedule