2011 UCI Road World Championships
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Event: 19-25 September 2011
Schedule, Reports and Results | GB Team on Twitter
Lucy Garner is the 2011 Junior World Road Race Champion, sprinting to the line in her rookie year and distancing her competitors in a moment reminiscent of Nicole Cooke's 2008 Olympic win.
Yes! Lucy Garner takes the world title with a sensational sprint
Cheryl King's Slide Show
Race Report
It all came down to the final sprint, an uphill battle to the line. Garner came from beyond tenth in the pack, moving to fifth, before almost getting knocked off, only to recover and overtake the remaining sprinters, immediately taking five bike lengths with plenty of time to celebrate the victory - the first British Junior woman to win the title since Nicole Cooke in 2001.
After the race, Garner described her win which came three days after her birthday.
"It feels amazing, I can't describe how it feels. Our team did so well to keep everything together and when it came to the sprint I saw there was a slight gap. There were six or seven riders in front and I was the last one. Once I get going I don't look where I'm going, just head straight to the finish line."
We also have an exclusive post-race interview with Lucy
HOW THE RACE UNFOLDED
Following a crash in the early stages the peloton was animated by Great Britain, but the first major attack came from De Jong (NED) who dangled off of the front until the penultimate lap.
With a group of six then establishing itself - inclding De Jong and Britain's time trial silver-medallist Ellinor Baker the 70km race looked in danger - and moreso when time traillists Rattio (ITA) and Kruger (GER) built a 27 second gap with just 8km to go.
With the Italian team at the head of the bunch and starting to dominate the race, panic set in with eventual winner Garner attempting a solo attack for bronze.
This was the unlikely catalyst for the peloton which, driven by Denmark and Australia dramatically bringing back the tiring duo out front, with a gap of ten seconds left in the remaining two kilometres.
Rattio and Kruger, totally exhausted and knowing the catch was imminent both sat up and as the bunch funnelled by Poland and Russia led the sprint.
But on a very selective climb, riders were quickly dropped leaving only five - including Belgian Druyts - who started to sprint for the win.
However, moving through the pack was Garner. Undetected, and in a similar vein to her move for the bronze medal - the first year junior and multi-discipline British Champion cut through the pack and onto the wheels.
Initially it looked as though a medal of any colour was a result, a hope which faded as Garner was knocked off-line in the protracted sprint.
But somehow, Garner found another kick, totally unmatched by any other rider and crossed the line World Champion.
Result
1 GARNER Lucy GBR 1:46:17
2 DRUYTS Jessy BEL @ST
3 SIGGAARD Christina DEN "
4 SOUYRIS Manon FRA "
5 PERCHTOLD Christina AUT "
6 GUTIERREZ RUIZ Sheyla ESP "
7 KÜLLMER Lisa GER "
8 BARTELLONI Beatrice ITA "
9 MARKUS Kelly NED "
10 LATOZAITE Silvija LTU "
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31 ROBERTS Amy GBR @ST
51 BARNES Hannah GBR +31
52 BARKER Elinor GBR +31
