Linda Villumsen, a Kiwi team of one

Villumsen is ready for the road race ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Sep 24th, 11. Linda Villumsen is a Kiwi team of one for tonight's elite women's road race at the UCI World Road Championships, but she is ready to be part of the action.

The Danish born Kiwi won the silver medal in the time trial discipline a few days ago and is feeling confident ahead of the 140km road race.

"It's a different race, different people who will be good in this race," Villumsen said. "I am hoping I can hide myself a little bit since I'm alone.

"That will be my card to play, that I can save myself a little bit and then see if I can do something towards the end of the race."

The 26 year old admits she has not had great success with her Dutch road team this year, but was confident her training build up to these Worlds was perfect. Her performance in the TT proved she was right.

Tonight (11:30pm NZ time), the 144 rider women's peloton faces ten laps of the 13.9km undulating circuit just north of Copenhagen.

Villumsen has a different view on how the race will unfold than many commentators.

"They say it's a sprinter's course but I am pretty sure it will split up, especially in the women's peloton," she said. "I will really pay attention to when the strong riders hit the front of the bunch and stay with them - then try and stay there until the end."

In last year's race she placed 19th, finishing in the bunch just 3sec behind the top three riders. NZ's Cath Cheatley, who is not racing this year due to injury, finished 11th.

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