Specialized-lululemon wins women’s team time trial world championship
Neben, Stevens and company ride their way to the first women's TTT title
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VALKENBURG, Netherlands (AFP) — Amber Neben, Evelyn Stevens and Specialized-lululemon stormed to a win in the inaugural women’s team time trial on the opening day of the UCI World Road Championships on Sunday.
“We knew it would be a tight race; it has been that way all year,” said Specialized’s Ina Yoko Teutenberg. “Everything had to go perfect to win. We knew we had to to put the pressure on and keep it up.”
Specialized finished 24 seconds ahead of Australian team Orica-AIS, which boasted the top two finishers in the 2011 individual time trial at worlds, with Judith Arndt and Linda Villumsen.
“The girls turned themselves inside out riding at the speed required to win, and we were still beaten,” said Orica sports director Martin Barras. “We were initially and remain a bit deflated but are also very proud of the effort we left on the road. Silver is a mixed bag. We knew what we waned and what we had to do to get it.”
Apart from Neben and Stevens, Specialized’s line-up also featured Dutchwoman Ellen Van Dijk and German trio Charlotte Becker, Trixi Worrack and Teutenberg.
AA Drink-leontien.nl was third, 1:59 in arrears.