The women’s TTT kicked off the week of racing at the Worlds in Richmond. Thirteen teams started the 38.8km course, but the race ultimately came down to just three teams: Boels Dolmans, Rabo-Liv, and Velocio-SRAM. Undefeated in the event since it was reintroduced to the Worlds four years ago, Velocio-SRAM was hungry for the win. As if they need a further incentive, today would be the last race ever for the team as their owner, Kristy Scrymgeour, had announced earlier in the season she planned to step away from the sport.
Boels Dolmans promised to threaten Velocio-SRAM’s winning streak with a strong team that included Evelyn Stevens and Chantal Blaak, two members of last year’s gold medal Velocio-SRAM squad.
Rabo-Liv was the final serious contender, having won the TTT at last month’s Vargarda World Cup.
Downtown Richmond
Pepper Palace.
BMW presented by Happy Tooth.
Twenty 16.
BTC City Ljubljana.
Team Tibco-SVB.
Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.
United Health Care.
Boels Dolmans.
Wiggle Honda.
Rabo-Liv.
Orica-AIS.
Velocio-SRAM.
The finish line
BMW presented by Happy Tooth Dental.
Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.
United Health Care.
Boels Dolmans.
Wiggle Honda.
Rabo-Liv.
Orica-AIS.
Velocio-SRAM.
Seeking their fourth consecutive gold medal Velocio-SRAM, the team left everything on the course. The effort paid off and the team, in its last race ever, emerged the victors by six seconds over rivals Boels Dolmans. Absolutely empty with fatigue, Karol-Ann Canuel was attended to by her teammates and soigneurs immediately after finishing.
Velocio-SRAM received their medals.
1st Velocio-SRAM
2nd Boels Dolmans
3rd Rabobank-Liv
Lizzie Armitstead of Boels Dolmans may have earned silver today, but expect her to aim for the podium once more in the women’s road race on Saturday.
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