We are on the Isle of Man for a test specifically designed for the time triallists, the island is well known for its Motorbike time trials. But the riders today will have no motors and be entirely powered under their own steam!
The course is 26km, with two checks one at 6km probably will not reveal too much but the second at 19km should give us an indication of the contenders.
As you might expect the elite TTers are here for this pure test against the clock, the three big favourites are Ignatiev, Stannard and Olman.
One key variable today is the wind, it swirls around a bit but it is mainly behind the cyclists meaning it is best to go out when the wind is the strongest. At the beginning the wind speed was at a moderate level with an unclear forecast for later but some saying it would calm down led to a lot of favourites starting early.
First big contender is Elizen of Highroad
1st check: 6.18
2nd check: 23.37
Final time: 32.53
Next off was one of the best TTers in the world Mikhail Ignatiev...
Russian has been tearing it up in TTs this year
1st check: 6.12
2nd check: 23.15
Final time: 32.23
Perhaps not as far inside Elizen’s times as he could be, but this is a very good time. The wind conditions have been pretty consistent, we know of course that he came second to Ian Stannard in Dunkirk in unfavourable conditions!!! Next out is superstar (well for the CTour) stage racer Taaramae.
Estonian stays in touch with Ignatievs checks throughout
1st check: 6.12
2nd check: 23.21
Final time: 32.33
The Ikea man perhaps just fading slightly at the end. But a check just 10 seconds behind Ignatiev indicates either Taaramae had a very good TT or Ignatiev was slightly off today. Next big contender was obviously off of a residents one to watch...
Local looks confused as to this rider – it is Javiar Aramendia of LEGO
The Lego man has had a strange selection of races being used more as a domestique. But here he is Lego’s best chance of glory.
1st check: 6.17
2nd check: 23.35
Final time: 32.51
Good enough for provisional 3rd place, but not for long as Milka’s best TTer also started early.
Thomas De Gendt rolls round well
The Milka man just sneaks inside Aramendia’s 3rd place time:
1st check: 6.17
2nd check: 23.33
Final time: 32.50
It is becoming clear that all the teams are sending their favourites out early, Pendletons have to make a choice however between Millar and Wiggins. They choose the one who took the British TT championship last year.
Millar looking to be the man today
1st check: 6.15
2nd check: 23.24
Final time: 32.35
Dave finished well but conceded a touch too much time in the middle section, still he is now up to provisional 3rd place. But right after him is another brit 100% Me’s Ian Stannard, lets remember the occasion in France when he beat Ignatiev, can he do it again?
Stannard is a well hard time trialler
1st check: 6.14
2nd check: 23.23
Final time: 32.33
His time is just slower than Taaramae’s but two seconds faster than Millar – perhaps Dave should pass that British TT jersey over!
Meanwhile another rider hopeful of a high finish is out on course.
Intesa’s Grabovski looking for a good run
1st check: 6.17
2nd check: 23.38
Final time: 32.56
Unfortunately for the Intesa man the wind is beginning to drop slightly, this is going to make things more difficult. Two more favourites rushed out before things would get too becalmed. First Ikea’s second contender Gustav Larsson.
Gustav hoping to whip out a decent time
1st check: 6.16
2nd check: 23.32
Final time: 32.46
It is a touch disappointing though not bad at all, also in with a good shout of a top 3 has to be Bimbo Nutella’s Australian Miles Olman.
Olman is doing miles and miles of TTs
1st check: 6.16
2nd check: 23.30
Final time: 32.42
Again it is a touch off the very best times – probably due to the calming wind conditions more than anything. A couple of teams have missed out on the best wind here – perhaps there is some other way for them to get a decent time.
Cillit Bang’s Gusev a big loser today – just for a change!
Gusev barely registers at the first check with 6.20 and then finishes with 33.12 only good enough for 14th. One of the last riders to leave the start house was Bradley Wiggins, unfortunately for him the wind was completely becalmed! Wiggo has poor conditions for his TT
1st check: 6.18
2nd check: 23.56
Final time: 33.23
He finishes a whole minute behind Ignatiav and way down in 15th place!
Ignatiev wins then with Taaramae and Stannard completing the podium.
