We’re off and racing: Noura Alomairi of Kuwait rolls gingerly down the ramp and will be followed by Tiffany Keep of South Africa. The riders are setting off at one-minute intervals.
Today’s favourites: While Annemiek van Vleuten is the hot favourite to win her third consecutive title today, the inclement weather could put the cat among the pigeons. Her compatriot Anna van der Breggen took silver last year and is expected to run Van Vleuten close today.
Last year’s bronze medallist Ellen van Dijk misses out this year through injury, but Chloe Dygart (USA), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), Amber Neben (USA) and Lisa Brennaur (Germany) will all be cautiously optimistic of making the podium. Hayley Simmonds and Alice Barnes will hope the -admittedly small – partisan crowd can cheer them into the shake-up.
A curious revelation: Seeking her third consecutive ITT world title today, reigning champion Annemiek van Vleuten doesn’t actually like time trialling.
Racing delayed until 3.30pm (BST)
The UCI have released a statement: “Due to the heavy rains experienced this morning and considering the inclement weather forecast for the rest of the day, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the organising committee of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships have reviewed the conditions for this afternoon’s Women Elite Individual Time Trial race.
“Following the discussions, it’s been decided that the start will be delayed to 15:30 to allow water to be cleared. The organising committee and the county are deploying marshals to yellow flag areas with standing water and staff and vehicles are draining water on the roads to ensure riders’ safety.
“Gaps between riders will be reduced to 1 minute instead of 1min 30sec so that the finish time comes close to the original schedule. The UCI and Yorkshire 2019 will continue to monitor closely the events and take any appropriate decisions.”
UCI slammed by riders. Several of the riders who competed in this morning’s men’s under-23 ITT from Ripon to Harrogate have criticised the UCI for not stopping the race after heavy downpours flooded the roads on which Denmark’s Mikkel Bjerg won his third title. “It is super-dangerous and I think it is irresponsible to let it go ahead,” said Belgian Ilan Van Wilder told Het Laatste Nieuws, per Cycling Weekly. “It was no longer raining, but really pouring. You take the longest route to avoid puddles, against all time trial principles.”
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Women’s Elite individual time trial (32km)
Up north in yonder Yorkshire is the venue for this week’s UCI 2019 Road World Championships and today’s main event is the women’s elite individual time trial. Starting in Ripon and finishing in Harrogate, today’s course is 32 kilometres in length.
It is, according to the UCI, “perfectly suited to time trial specialists who can manage their efforts over this fast and open course. A flat opening 12km will get the riders up to speed before the road undulates gradually on the approach to Harrogate. The concluding Harrogate circuit will favour those who are able to push big power through their pedals before emptying the tank on the uphill drag to the finish”.
Stay tuned for build-up ahead of the first rider rolling down the ramp at 2.50pm (BST). Today’s racing entertainment could be enhanced by the presence of several very large and deep (up to 30 centimetres in places) puddles on the course following torrential rain this morning. Here’s hoping all our competitors come home safely.
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