Silver success for Linda Villumsen

Villumsen shows off her silverware ©Graham Watson

Sep 21st, 11. After winning the bronze medal two years in a row, NZ's Linda Villumsen took a step up the podium to collect the silver medal in the Elite Women's Time Trial at the UCI World Road Championships today.

It was the same three women receiving medals in Copenhagen as in Melbourne last year, but in a different order and after a vastly different course -  the 2010 course had hilly and sunny conditions compared with flat, windy and wet conditions at Copenhagen.

It proved an emotional day for Villumsen, the Danish-born New Zealander who was thrilled to win her third medal in a row in the time trial after bronze medals for Denmark in 2009 and bronze in her first ride for New Zealand last year.

"It will be the same three of us in the medals next year but it will be my turn for the gold," the 26 year old said.

"It was special for me today for sure. I had my family and friends here supporting me too. I told my brother to go in the hardest part of the course and yell for me. It was good support for me from everybody."

She found the conditions more trying than anticipated but it did not change her approach.

"The first lap in the wet was a little bit tricky because you never know how fast you can take the corners but the second lap was okay because you knew, and none of them were dangerous.

"It was harder than I thought it would be. That was to my advantage. It was a strong head wind which was pretty bad, it seemed like a climb.

"I didn't change my tactics though. I always ride the same, not really with tactics but to ride as fast as I can and see how long I can last for.

Villumsen powers around the course ©Graham Watson

Villumsen, who rides for the Dutch AA Drink professional team, hit the lead in the competition as the eighth to last rider off on the technical two x 13.9km course, clocking 37:29.11 to eclipse Canada's former Olympic speed skater Clara Hughes.

Her time lasted until the penultimate ride from many time medallist Judith Arndt from Germany who blitzed the second lap after being only the 8th fastest at the first time split half way around the first lap.

Arndt earned her first TT World's medal in 1997, but today was her first TT gold (she won the road race gold medal in 2004)

"I have chased this medal for many years – it has really been a long time goal for me," Arndt said after the race.

Emma Pooley (GBR), last year's champion, had to settle for third.

Villumsen has four days break before she competes in the road race as the sole New Zealand representative.

Day 2 of the UCI Road World Championships saw two Kiwis take silver medals, Villumsen and James Oram. Day 3 sees the last of the time trial races, the Elite men's race when NZ's Jack Bauer and Jesse Sergent take on the world.

Sergent, who has been in fantastic TT form this season, has the added benefit of his RadioShack DS Dirk Demol who Johan Bruyneel flew in for support. The Kiwi is one to watch tonight!

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