Talansky Becomes 2015 US National ITT Champ

May 23, 2015 – Andrew Talansky, Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling, Crowned U.S. National Time Trial Champion, Ben King 2nd on a Great Day for Green Argyle.

Slipstream Sports/Yuzuru Sunada

Andrew Talansky and Ben King delivered a one-two finish for Cannondale-Garmin in the individual time trial at the USA Cycling National Road Championships on Saturday. Talansky posted the fastest time on the 30.9 kilometer course, stopping the clock at 38:48 to win first elite national title. King finished 10 seconds further back to secure the silver medal.

“I’m very proud to have won today and I’m even more proud of the fact that Cannondale-Garmin went 1-2 with myself and Ben King,” said Talansky about his first elite national title. “I haven’t won a time trial since U23 Nationals in 2010 so to win here in Chattanooga is an incredible feeling. More than anything I am looking forward to bringing the jersey back to Europe, to the Dauphine, and especially to the Tour de France. I cannot wait to line up at the start of the greatest race in the world in the stars and stripes, representing Cannondale-Garmin. It’s an honor.”

“First and second for the team – it couldn’t be any better than that,” added King, who had previously won gold in elite road race championships but had never medalled in the elite time trial. “I would be disappointed with second place if it were to anyone but Talanksy, especially at only 10 seconds. It’s a small margin on that course. I’m proud of what we did today. I’m proud of Andrew and myself. It was a great bit of work done by the team.”

The time trial course in Chattanooga, Tennessee is comprised of two identical laps. Each lap features rolling roads and turnaround points. Talansky negative split his race, posting a faster time on the second lap than the first, while King posted the fastest lap of the day on lap one.

“I always love time trials because it is about getting the most out of yourself,” continued Talansky. “That is all you have control over. Today I did the best ride I was capable of and thankfully that landed me on the top step of the podium. I wasn’t confident it would be enough but in the end it was, and it was a satisfying feeling to know that I had won.”

“Coming into today, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Two weeks ago I had to stop the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California due to illness. That was extremely disappointing. To come back today and to feel as strong as I did out there on the course really shows that things are heading back in the right direction.”

“Before the race, I was thinking that regardless of the outcome, it’s all or nothing,” said King. “It’s the National Championships, so you’re going to leave it all out there, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Talansky and King will join forces with Joe Dombrowski, Alex Howes and Ted King on Monday in pursuit of a second national title for Cannondale-Garmin – this time in the road race.

“To be first and second today gives us great momentum heading into the road race,” said King. “It shows we have what it takes to win. I think it gives us a lot of confidence and makes us even more hungry.”