Bevin 8th in world time trial
NEW Zealand’s Patrick Bevin earned a top10 finish in the individual time trial at the Road World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria.
He was supported by rowing great Hamish Bond, who finished in the top 25 after the demanding 52.1km test from Rattenburg to Innsbruck, which included a tough 6km climb.
Bevin claimed eighth place in his first world championship time trial, while his World Tour BMC Racing teammate, Australian Rohan Dennis, eclipsed defending champion Tom Dumoulin to claim the rainbow jersey.
It has been a breakthrough season for the 27yearold, who is in his first year on the World Tour.
‘‘I have got to be pleased with that performance,’’ he said.
‘‘I had a plan and, while it was not perfect and I had to adjust along the way, it was pretty pleasing on what was a very challenging course.
‘‘I learned a bit about myself out there.’’
Bevin was pleased with his climbing efforts, although the descent on the more rigid time trial machine provided some challenging moments.
He said it has been a breakthrough year for him with his points category win in the Tour of Britain, the team time trial stage win in the Tour de France and his consistency with time trial podiums at the Tour of California and Basque Country.
He is now turning his attention to the world championships road race, where he will compete alongside George Bennett, Dion Smith and Sam Bewley. The race starts at 7.40pm on Sunday (NZ time).
Bond showed how much he has improved with his 25th place effort in the time trial. He was 39th last year but is making steady gains as he adjusts from world champion rower to cycling at a time when the courses for time trials have become more challenging. —RNZ