Australian Grace Brown rocketed to victory in the Olympic time trial on Saturday covering the 32.4km course in 39:38″. Taking the silver medal was Great Britain’s Anna Henderson, who finished 1:31″ behind Brown, followed by Chloe Dygert of the U.S. who took bronze one second behind Henderson at 1:32″.
Riders were greeted Saturday with wet conditions and it became apparent very quickly that the course was going to be a challenge for those who lacked the skill and experience to handle slippery conditions. Triathlete Taylor Knibb (USA) struggled to navigate the tricky course, suffering 4 crashes and one mechanical, and eventually placing 19th and 3:25″ down on the winner Grace Brown.
While many on social media, including Eurosport commentators, decried the conditions and called for a postponement of the time trial, Grace Brown managed to navigate the slippery conditions and to win by a whopping 1:31″ ahead of her nearest rival, Anna Henderson.
Grace Brown explained afterwards that her success was a result of sticking to her plan. “I had a plan to win the time trial. I executed that plan to perfection. Or even better, so the day couldn’t have gone better! It was raining, but it didn’t affect my morale. I don’t mind rain. I know you have to take the corners a bit slower, ride a bit more conservatively. But everyone did that.”
Anna Henderson (GB) was pleased with her ride after recovering from two broken collarbones early in the season. “It really took a lot to get back and get the motivation again. I always had Paris on my mind, and that really carried me through. I really took control and my coach did a really good job to keep me calm all the way through and keep pushing until the end. Last year, I was two seconds from bronze at the Worlds, so I’m really happy to be on the right side of the seconds this time.”
Chloe Dygert (USA) was one of the ones to crash who accepted the course conditions. “I’m very grateful that I was able to reach the finish. A lot of riders fell today, the conditions were tough. But they were the same for everyone. That’s how cycling is. I like these conditions, with the lower temperature and the roads that don’t curve well. Every time trial is different. A lot depends on the mindset you go into it with.”
Demi Volering (NL) placed 5th, but had mixed feelings about her performance. “I think this is my best time trial ever. I knew this wasn’t my course, but in the days leading up to the time trial you start dreaming. The Olympic Games are so special. You should never think in advance that something is not possible. Then there’s no point in going. In the beginning I rode at the limit, but after that I didn’t dare to risk anything anymore. Then I went ‘square’ through a number of bends. That’s where I may have let it go.”
Ellen van Dijk (NL) was a pre-race favorite, but a previous ankle injury and fear of crashing dashed her hopes for a medal. “The fact that I have come so far in my rehabilitation that I can start here can be called a miracle. That is why I also started to believe in miracles for the time trial. I achieved wattages on the straights that would bring me close to the medals. Only in the bends I lost a lot of time. I was extra afraid in the rain. I don’t want to damage that ankle again. I am extra vulnerable there now. But, otherwise I was simply not good enough.”
Pre-race favorite Taylor Knibb (USA) crashed 4 times but learned some valuable lessons. “It was an experience. The first third was great. The middle one, that’s where it all went wrong. And then the third one it was more survival than anything else. I was fully blind, my Garmin fell off on the first one. I’m like, ‘Well, here we go!'”
RESULTS
Olympic Games Individual Time Trial (32.4km)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
