Lizzy Banks and Alice Barnes were in action for the Great Britain Cycling Team on day one at the UCI Road World Championships in Imola, finishing in 15th and 19th place respectively in the elite women’s time trial.
Lizzy was the first British rider down the start ramp, finishing the 31.7 km course in a time of 42:43.75, 2 minutes 23.61 seconds behind the winner Anna van der Breggen from Holland. Alice finished in a time of 42:53.46.
Speaking after the race, Lizzy said: “It was hard, but then isn’t a time trial supposed to be hard?! It was a pretty flat course with quite a strong headwind but I managed to pace the first half really well. Then on the second half I just had nothing left in my legs. I guess that’s just a consequence of Giro fatigue and not quite knowing how you’re going to come out of it. It was a challenge, it was a good learning experience but my power was down and I was really dying towards the end.”
Marlen Reusser from Switerland finished the race with the silver medal, while Holland’s Ellen van Dijk completed the podium.
Racing resumes tomorrow with Alex Dowsett and Geraint Thomas competing in the elite men’s time trial.
