"This was the highest achievable"

At the world championships individual time trial, Marlen Reusser won a bronze medal. The 30-year-old Swiss pulled out all the stops, but Ellen van Dijk proved untouchable. The Dutchwoman flew to her third world title over 34 kilometres, the second in a row. Home rider and outsider Grace Brown took silver. "I am satisfied with the bronze medal," said Marlen Reusser. 

Marlen Reusser was one of the top favourites for the world title beforehand, but tempered expectations by indicating that the technical course was not in her favour. At the first intermediate point, she narrowly beat Grace Brown's time, before Ellen Van Dijk undercut it by eight seconds. At the second intermediate point, Van Dijk was convincingly on a title course, Grace Brown was eight seconds faster there than Reusser, who set the third fastest time at the finish, taking her third World Championships medal in a row with bronze.

"This is a good result," the European champion said in a reaction. "It was difficult to build up to this race because my preparation was disrupted by all kinds of small obstacles such as injuries and an illness shortly after the European Championships. I gave everything I had in me. The course meant an extra challenge. I am quite happy with this bronze medal."

Lotte Kopecky rode an equally strong time trial. As a result, the 25-year-old Belgian finished ninth. "I am proud of this place in the top ten. I didn't have that much experience with this type of time trial. It was nice that I was in the hot seat for a long time. I had never done that before at a the World Championships. I had divided my time trial well. Especially my end was quite strong. I am satisfied with this. Although this says nothing for the World Championships on the road. There the course is even tougher anyway. I try to take all the positive with me towards that race and try to stay as relaxed as possible all week."

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio returned to action for the first time after her crash in the Simac Ladies Tour. The 36-year-old South African finished 16th, making her the best African rider at the World Championships Individual Time Trial. On Wednesday, the mixed relay is on the programme. Marlen Reusser will be in action there for Switzerland. Elena Cecchini rides for Italy in this race.