Horrific conditions can’t stop Mikkel Bjerg from winning third consecutive U23 men’s chrono at Yorkshire Worlds
Americans plow through flooded course to earn two podium spots
The English weather almost derailed the Yorkshire 2019 Road World Championships on Tuesday, as torrential rain flooded the course so badly that the elite women’s time trial was pushed back and considered for postponement. Tuesday’s early chrono, the U23 men’s, was a real horror-show, but in the end Dane Mikkel Bjerg took his third consecutive title.
This boy is a bit special ? ?
The great Dane, @mikkelbbjerg, secured his third U23 ITT World title in a row with a powerful display in grueling weather conditions. ?? ?? #Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/NLbNwkS6KZ
— ? Yorkshire 2019 (@Yorkshire2019) September 24, 2019
The Course
The Under-23 men would be the first to stray from the Harrowgate course. They would start in Ripon and complete one lap of the 13.4 km circuit made familiar on Sunday and Monday.
#Yorkshire2019, M U23 ITT (30.3 km)
Start order and times https://t.co/RZYmhNXTMd
Live timing https://t.co/kt4rb1hxnZ
Live stream https://t.co/iV1moct0ZD pic.twitter.com/YFHvavnMKu— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) September 24, 2019
As on Monday the conditions were wet, but Tuesday they proved daunting and dangerous.
Did someone mention “British weather”?
???#Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/5SWdY4g9VK— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 24, 2019
There were flooded areas.
#Yorkshire2019 – So all the riders have to pass there, hoping to stay on the bike during the cross. pic.twitter.com/WyKv710DbS
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) September 24, 2019
Bjerg’s compatriot Johan Price-Pejtersen found out exactly how soaked the route was.
Plons ‘em erin in Harrogate.
? #wkwielrennen #tijdritbeloften #Yorkshire2019 #terlandterzeeenindelucht pic.twitter.com/GqcrPOQXZh— John den Braber (@JohndenBraber) September 24, 2019
Hungarian Attila Valter came to grief, sliding an impressive distance and escaping injury.
Wow. Valter was very lucky, no serious injuries for him #Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/SDXXQhNu6H
— GosuSM (@GosuSM) September 24, 2019
It was a repeat performance for Bjerg, as the Dane retained his title with a time of 40:20. American Ian Garrison, who dried out on the hot seat for a long spell, took the silver, while his countryman Brandon McNulty, silver medalist at Bergen 2017, was third. Bjerg and Garrison are teammates at Hagens Berman Axeon, but Bjerg and McNulty will be teammates next season at UAE-Team Emirates.
Nick Zukowsky was the top Canadian in 32nd at +2:56, while Ben Katerberg was 43rd at +3:41.
2019 UCI Road World Championships U23 Men’s Time Trial
Gold) Mikkel Bjerg (Denmark) 40:20
Silver) Ian Garrison (USA) +0:27
Bronze) Brandon McNulty (USA) +0:28
32) Nick Zukowsky (Canada) +2:56
43) Ben Katerberg (Canada) +3:41