Here we go with the first of four heats for the Time Trials. Call it Round 1, Quarter Finals or even Semi Finals - the goal is simple, be one of the six nations to have the fastest rider time. USA, Spain, Ireland and Austria all have two riders on the favourites list and with Canada and Belarus only 6 nations are named here - but there will be others in the race with something to say.
Let's take a look at the fastest riders in the first wave.
Neilson Powless, USA
Eddie Dunbar, Ireland
Jakub Novak, Czech Republic
Omar Fraile, Spain
It's a close fight between Powless and Dunbar, with the American gaining a 3 second lead early on; edging that out to 6 seconds at the final checkpoint, and holding it there.
For 3rd. Novak had edged out a 4 second advantage, but that was turned over at the finish, with Fraile being faster.
After the first wave, 5th is held by Chile thanks to Cabrera
And the 6th spot is for Andorra! Xandri with a good ride.
That leaves Lithuania in 7th right now, following Beniusis' effort
And Austria? Well Hofer had been up in this first wave, but a horrible time for him
The latest standings shows him down in 15th. The course perhaps too hard for a rider like him.
Kireva and Sendeku two early African starters in Wave 2, hoping to get into the mix
Both are in the Top 13 after all riders are through the first checkpoint, but making the Top 6 countries will be hard.
There's several things we can take from the fastest times at that first checkpoint though!
Phinney has gone fastest
But Tenorio is only 1 second behind
Brandle is doing a better job for Austria, 3rd so far
And Cataford is doing what he needs to do for Canada in 4th
Updating through the 2nd checkpoint that story remains, although Cataford is down to 5th so may not be safe yet
Dunbar's time is still enough for 6th, making Ireland the 5th country with two Americans ahead.
It's therefore Chen Shikai who is putting China through in 6th
Shikai has moved 4 seconds ahead of Sepulveda at Check 2, having been 3 behind at Check 1. It's not over for Argentina yet
Third checkpoint and at the front Tenorio has narrowed the gap to Phinney from 2 seconds back to 1!
Cataford is now slower than Dunbar, but Sepulveda has been losing ground too, 18 behind the Canadian and now 8 behind Shikai. Sendeku is riding towards an Ethiopian Top 10 now.
Taylor Phinney rides home to hold off Tenorio and secure the win. He catches Mullen on the line, another non-climbing specialist who struggled today, already have been passed by Tenorio.
Brandle secured 3rd, ahead of Powless, Cataford and Dunbar.
Shikai does secure qualification for China, but only just! Sepulveda finished strong, just 5 seconds behind. Sendeku and Kireva both secure nice Top 10 finishes!
Time gaps in results a bit messed up due to stage file settings
