Geelong, Australia (Sept. 30, 2010) – David Zabriskie (Salt Lake City, Utah/Garmin-Transitions) posted the top result for the United States with an eighth-place finish in the elite men’s time trial at the 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships on Thursday. The youngest rider in the 42-man field; Tejay Van Garderen (Fort Collins, Colo./Columbia-HTC) finished in 24th place.
Zabriskie, who was amongst the day’s favorites after earning the silver in 2006 and bronze in 2008, posted a time of 1:01:00.60 over the 45.6-kilometer course. The four-time USA Cycling Professional Time Trial Champion completed the first of two laps around downtown Geelong under the 30 minute mark which put him amongst the medal contenders. There were however seven powerhouse riders to follow and Zabriskie was pushed down to eighth.
As a Pro Tour rider for the HTC-Columbia team, 22 year-old Van Garderen was not able to race amongst the U23s yesterday making him the youngest rider amongst today’s elite men’s field. Just off the Vuelta Espana, the youngster was able to put up a time of 1:02:50.08 for 24th place on a deceivingly tough course on a chilly and windy day.
“After the Vuelta and then with the time change I just couldn’t get on top of it out of the corners,” explained Van Garderen. “I just didn’t have that snap; just missing that little edge. The course is a fun one. It has a little bit of everything: rollers, flats, bumpy roads, wind. If I was on a great day it may have been the perfect course for me.”
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland earned his fourth elite time trial world title in impressive fashion with a time of 58:09.19; more than one minute faster than silver medalist David Millar (GBR). Tony Martin of Germany earned the bronze which, much to the dismay of the Australian crowd, pushed a pair of Aussies out of medal contention.
On Friday six American men will tackle the 159-kilometer U23 men’s road race beginning at 1:00 p.m. local time.
For more information, including a complete schedule of events, course maps, start lists and more, visit the official event webpage. To view photos of the U.S. team visit USA Cycling’s photo gallery and USA Cycling’s YouTube page for unofficial videos from the event.
UCI Road World Championships
Geelong, Australia
Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2010
Elite Men’s Time Trial – 45.6-kilometers
1. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 58:09.19
2. David Millar (GBR) +1:02.75
3. Tony Martin (GER) +1:12.49
8. David Zabriskie (Salt Lake City, Utah/Garmin-Transitions) +2:51.41
24. Tejay Van Garderen (Fort Collins, Colo./Columbia-HTC) +4:40.89
