Linda Melanie Villumsen (C) of New Zealand, celebrates winning the women's elite time trials with second-place finisher Anna Van Der Breggen (L) of the Netherlands and Lisa Brennauer (R) of Germany at the UCI Road World Championships cycling races in Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday. — AP
RICHMOND, Virginia — New Zealand's Linda Villumsen powered to victory in the Road Cycling World Championship individual time trial Tuesday, claiming the title that had always eluded her. Twice runner-up and three-time a bronze medalist, Villumsen finally got to the top of the podium with a time of 40 minutes 29.87 seconds over the challenging 29.9 km course. Dressed all in black and riding a stealth black bike, Villumsen had looked set for a commanding victory until Dutchwoman Anna van der Breggen provided a late fright, crossing 2.54 seconds behind to take the silver. Defending champion Lisa Brennauer of Germany had to settle for the bronze. Danish-born Villumsen won her first bronze medal competing for Denmark at the 2009 worlds and the next four years won medals for New Zealand, silver in 2011 and 2013 and two more bronze in 2010 and 2012. The 30-year-old signaled her gold medal intentions early. Going out in the last wave, Villumsen went on the attack and by midway had the best time by nearly 11 seconds. Not satisfied, Villumsen stormed through the last kilometers coming home with a 26-second lead with only eight riders still on the course. “I really can't believe it. It is an incredible feeling,” said Villumsen. “It's difficult being on the finish line and nearly there and not quite there. But it all played out my way today.” For much of the day it appeared 42-year-old American Kristin Armstrong might write the feel-good ending. Coming out of retirement for the chance to race at home, the two-time defending Olympic champion in the discipline set the early target of 40:50.45. Just the second rider out onto the course, the 2006 and 2009 world champion waited and watched for over three hours before the final riders challenged her time and pushed her off the podium into fifth place. UCI approves reforms The International Cycling Union (UCI) approved a series of sweeping reforms for men's road cycling, including an overhaul of the World Tour schedule, the sport's governing body said Tuesday. Among the key reforms, reached after more than two years of dialogue with major teams and organizers, the UCI said three-year licenses will be granted to a maximum of 18 World Teams for the 2017-2019 seasons. The UCI said it hopes the longer licenses, which will be granted based on ethical, financial, sporting, administrative and organizational criteria, will encourage investment leading to increased stability in team structures. The announcement could help end a feud between the governing body and Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organization who had threatened to pull their races from the UCI calendar over a lack of progress in the reform program. The UCI also said on Tuesday that current participation rules will be maintained for existing World Tour events but new rules will be set for new events seeking to join the UCI World Tour to encourage growth and globalization. A limited number of new races will also be added to the UCI World Tour from 2017, with an application process opening later in 2015. To help strengthen anti-doping efforts the UCI said it has developed team internal operational requirements which will be mandatory for all World Teams from 2017. The UCI also said a new ranking system will be introduced, with the ranking becoming universal across all events from the top to the third tier. — Agencies
