Villumsen first Kiwi on the podium at NVGP

Jun 17th, 10.  Under new rules, the riders had to ride "mass start legal bikes" in today's time trial of the NVGP, but that didn't stop New Zealand's Linda Villumsen showing her TT form.  She placed 2nd.

2nd for Villumsen today at NVGP TT ©RoadCycling.co.nz, from earlier in 2010.

This is 25 year old Villumsen's fourth 2nd place in time trials this season.  She also placed 2nd in the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin prologue, the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin team time trial and in the first time UCI time trial event, Chrono Gatineau in Canada last weekend.

The other two Kiwis racing this event aren't considered time trial specialists, but Cath Cheatley (Colavita Baci) produced a solid ride to finish 12th, +27sec.  Jo Kiesanowski (Team Tibco) finished 32nd of 99 riders, +1m02s.

Men's race - no Patrick Bevin

In the men's race the Kiwi representation was down one rider with Patrick Bevin forced out of the event due to illness.

Bevin told RoadCycling.co.nz he hopes to be back training in a few days and is disappointed not to be competing in what he hoped would be a great event for him.

The men's event was won in a time of 12m55s by Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) with two time NVGP defending champion Rory Sutherland (United Healthcare) 2nd, 9sec slower.

Jeremy Vennell (Bissell Pro Cycling), the 2009 New Zealand time trial champion, finished 5th. Roman Van Uden's 28th placing gave the Rubicon Orbea Kiwi 3rd in the Best Young Rider Classification.

The other seven Kiwi men were spread throughout the 148 rider field from 15th to 143rd.

2nd race today

In a few hours time all the Kiwis will be back in action for the day's second stage, the St. Paul Downtown Criterium.

TIme trial bike decision

The 9.6km St. Paul time trial of the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota, US didn't look like a traditional time trial.  Riders weren't even allowed aero bars.

The event directors made the decision partly for logistical reasons, and partly out of fairness.

“We have a time cut in the time trial to ensure that no one loafs to stay fresh for the criterium that night. But in the past, we have had some strong riders cut primarily because they did not have time trial bikes," explained race Executive Director David LaPorte.

"We have also had some riders in the past who haven’t competed because of the expense of bringing two bikes, particularly with the outrageous charges the airlines are imposing.”

The rule stated bikes had to be legal for a "mass start" race.

Related article

• Nature Valley Grand Prix results

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