Time for another timetrial: the Elite Men's ITT is soon to be kicked off and we will soon find out, who's going to wear the rainbow jersey in next season's timetrials!
Phinney is not only one of the top-favorites, but has also to defend his title here. He already won this event twice (2013, 2011), but faces some heavy competition in Coppel (3rd last year). The Frenchman has yet to win a Worlds timetrial.
Cancellara is another favorite for sure: runner-up in the past two years, Spartacus has won this TT-title back in 2008! Just like Rogers (winner in 2012), this is certainly his last shot at this prestigious title.
It's a packed startlist of course, so guys like Gesink/Keizer, Ford, Kittel/Schädlich, Cornu, Ignatiev or Taaramäe do all stand a chance to attack the podium..
We notice quite heavy crosswinds (35kmh), but let's keep it short: the conditions won't chance, so all starters have pretty much the same circumstances here.
Russia's Kritskiy is the first promising Top-10 contender hitting the road and so his first split time is by far the best to this point:
18'48" and half a minute faster than Renäng, Tennant or Nibali..
Gesink is one of two Dutchmen to aim for the podium today. He already podium'd the Worlds ITT back in 2011 and may hope for a similar strong outcome today:
+ 14" on Kritskiy at the first split though!
While Schädlich (22 seconds) clearly missed out on Kritskiy, too, we see the first former Timetrial World Champion crossing the first split. Rogers enjoyed a pretty good season with The Oz and looks set to prove he's still amongst the best:
new best time, beating Kritskiy by 9 seconds!
Mottin ain't exactly considered a real threat for the Top-10, but the Frenchman looks strong at the first split:
+ 9" as provisional 2nd!
Russia's biggest hope for a medal today: Ignatiev. While he had a pretty solid year in the PCT eventually, he's rumored to be slightly frustrated to lack the TT-success that the Aussies had this year.. will he strike back today?
Well, his first split ain't too special..
+ 21" and therefore also slower than his teammate Kritskiy!
Also Sergent struggles to keep Rogers' early pace:
+ 21" as well..
With the biggest guns yet to come, it's Rogers leading the provisional first split ahead of Mottin/Kritskiy, who both did pretty well against some (slightly) better rated TT-specialists so far.
Germany's second contender Kittel does better than Schädlich, but crosses the split with still already more than 10 seconds lost on Rogers:
+ 13" on the Aussie, just like Keizer and Cornu! Also Taaramäe (21 seconds) slower than the former champion..
Australia's next contender: Michael Ford. A real force in the PCT (six stage-wins), he did enjoy a great year for sure. This panflat timetrial today will surely suit him as well..
+ 9" at the first split, so right behind Mottin/Kritskiy!
And here comes Cancellara. Will the veteran put some pressure on the final two riders - just like Rogers did?
Not really, but he's amongst the five best to this point:
+ 13" on Rogers, so exactly where Cornu/Kittel/Keizer are!
The two clear top-favorites of course have the last two starts. Two-time World Champion Phinney has the earlier start. Will we finally see someone going past Rogers?
Yes!
New best split, 8" faster than Rogers!
Coppel crossing the split now, too:
+ 12" as provisional 3rd!
An early indicator of which names to expect for podium contention today? Well, definitely too early.
But Phinney going strong, just like Rogers and Mottin/Kritskiy in particular. Coppel with some ground to make up now. And especially Cancellara won't like to see this 21 seconds deficit on Phinney that early in the race.
We're now looking at the second split, focussing on the more promising contenders...
Rogers is surely one of the most promising, at least if he keeps up his strong pace:
40'49" at the second split, now 21" ahead of Kritskiy, 38" Ignatiev, 40" Sergent, 49" Gesink!
Mottin loses some more seconds, but is still ahead of those mentioned names:
+ 17" as provisional 2nd, also beating Taaramäe (41 seconds) at this point!
Keizer is now looking better though:
+ 22" as provisional 4th, just a second down on Kritskiy..
Same goes for Cornu:
+ 22" as well... just like Kittel!
Ford again and he's still ahead of those names:
+ 13" on Rogers, but he goes past Mottin/Kritskiy that way!
Cancellara crossing the second split now. Will he bounce back from his 20-seconds-gap on Phinney?
Well, probably not, since he's really struggling:
+ 23" on Rogers! It ain't looking like he will reach the podium today..
..and he won't be a threat for the victory for sure. Phinney crushes his time easily at this second split:
new best time, 21" faster than Rogers and therefore 44" ahead of Cancellara!
That's quite some pressure for Coppel now. Phinney is flying, will the Frenchman do so, too?
+ 27" already, so a clear nope!
Have we already seen the decision here? With less than 10km to go, Phinney is on a very good way to grab his third TT-title.
Rogers 6 seconds ahead of Coppel - this may become a close decision for the runner-up! Also Ford may be still in the mix for a medal and Mottin/Kritskiy are surely the two most surprising riders amongst the Top-10 at the second split.
Cancellara may at least go for a strong final sector..
..but let's focus on the fight for the podium/medals:
Rogers' best time at the finish may help him finish very high today:
Definitely a huge performance from Rogers, especially against those names like Cornu/Keizer/Kittel!
Will we see two Aussies on the podium? After two unlucky 4th places (TTT, U23 ITT), today surely went better for Australia.
Ford crosses the finish as the first podium contender now:
+ 19" on Rogers! Enough to put pressure on Coppel?
Cancellara + 57" in the end. Kinda disastrous, isn't it?
Phinney on his way to glory though:
52'17" and 27 seconds faster than Rogers eventually! Yap, it's pretty clear it's him winning today..
For Coppel it's all about beating Rogers now.. another bronze medal would be slightly disappointing this year..
..did he gain back those 6 seconds from the second split?
..the time runs against him..
..ain't looking good..
+ 36" on Phinney, + 9" on Rogers! At least he held off Ford though!
Phinney makes it two in a row, while Rogers delivered as a strong 2nd today! Coppel 3rd ahead of Ford and Mottin. So quite some strong showings by Australia and France today.
Kritskiy surprising 6th ahead of Cornu, Keizer, Kittel and a disappointing Cancellara. Also Ignatiev, Taaramäe, Sergent or Gesink might have hoped for more than "just" a Top-15 here.
