October 10/02 8:24 am - Cycling World Championships: Women's ITT Story

Posted by Editoress on 10/10/02
 

Road Cycling World Championships 2002 Zolder, Belgium

Elite Women ITT - 23.2 Km

Reports are brought to you with the assistance of: Velotron and Peak Centre for Human Performance

Favoured Canadian cyclists Genevieve Jeanson and Lyne Bessette came up short on Wednesday at the Road Cycling World Championship women's time trial, finishing 14th and 22nd respectively, well behind winner Zoulfia Zabirova of Russia.

Zabirova, the 1996 Olympic champion and a two-time runner up in the time trial, started sixth from last in the 23.2 kilometre race against the clock, recording a winning time of 30 minutes and two seconds in windy conditions. Swiss riders Nicole Brändli and Karin Thürig took the silver and bronze medals.

Jeanson, a former junior title holder in this event, felt she had given the strongest performance she could manage. "I gave it my all, and I couldn't have gone any faster. I congratulate the others who went faster, because that was the best I could do today."

Bessette, who finished third in this event at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in July, was hampered through her race by a loose saddle. "My saddle slipped after two kilometres. I had to keep pushing back a little bit while I was riding, and that didn't help, but I still tried to do my best today."