At the World Championships Under Way in Richmond, He Has Won the Most Important Victory of His Career and Risen From Elite Rider to the Ranks of the Greats:
Belarus’s Vasil Kiryienka!
The world champion’s rainbow jersey is coveted by every rider, and it is a great joy when, in such a prestigious discipline as the individual time trial, it is won by such a truly worthy member of the world peloton!
On the podium: Vasil Kiryienka in the rainbow jersey, with silver and bronze medalists Adriano Malori of Italy and Jérôme Coppel of France Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
In the absence of last year’s world time trial champion, Britain’s Sir Bradley Wiggins, and of the legendary Swiss Fabian Cancellara — who for several years now has lost the motivation to win this title once more — the main favorite was the no less worthy German Tony Martin. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, who made so much noise at the Vuelta, was also among the contenders. But in the end both finished more than a minute behind the winner. The main battle was between the Belarusian and the Italian, and this time Kiry’s many years of tireless work were rewarded — he became world champion!
The race’s top eight times
Kiry rode the whole distance at an even pace, and only on the final climb was the Italian specialist able to get so close to his time — but even he could do no more and stayed 9 seconds behind. Frenchman Jérôme Coppel had a brilliant day, and, regrettably, so did Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo in fourth place, the first non-medal position, just three seconds off the podium. Martin and Dumoulin confirmed their class too, though I doubt that was much consolation to them.
The new world time trial champion, Belarus’s Vasil Kiryienka, on the course. His position is so textbook that you could use it as a teaching aid in children’s cycling schools Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Notably, for the second year in a row the world title was won by a rider on a Pinarello Bolide. Unfortunately we can’t yet give cycling gear the attention it deserves on our site, but we intend to, and in the near future we will start covering these topics too. Today, though, we present the Pinarello Bolide on the battlefield.
The Pinarello Bolide – the new world champion’s warhorse Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Richmond World Championships, men’s elite individual time trial – full coverage.
Only 28 Hours Left Until Tomorrow’s Men’s Elite Road Race!
Official link to the live broadcast of the men’s elite road race at the World Championships
Featured image: Yuzuru SUNADA
Inside post thumbnail image: Yuzuru SUNADA
Translated from Georgian with the assistance of Claude (Anthropic), reviewed by the Velorbola editors.
In history, only three riders have won all five Monuments: [...]
April 15, 2019
