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Italy takes first individual gold at Bergen 2017 road world championships

Danish gold in U23 men's chrono, Laurie Jussaume Monday's top Canadian

September 18, 2017
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After a silver medal in last year’s Junior women’s time trial at the Doha road world championships, Italy earned a gold and silver in Monday’s edition of the race, placing three athletes in the top-10. Denmark’s Mikkel Bjerg took top honours in the U23 men’s chrono on the first day of individual competition.


For their time trial route, the women had essentially a lap of the road race course, with the dreaded Birkelundsbakken climb included in the 16-km. The day got progressively wetter.


Italian Alessia Vigilia launcehd first and after a ride of 41.2-km/h sat in the hot seat with 23:26 until last starter and compatriot Elena Pirrone beat her time by seven-seconds. Australian Madeleine Fasnacht took the bronze.


The top Canadian was Laurie Jussaume in 19th with Erin Attwell close on her heel in 20th, both on the same time.

The men’s U23 race was two laps of the course for 37-km. The roads were wet for this running.


Dane Matthias Jorgensen set out first and his 49:31.31 lasted until world junior champion Brandon McNulty (USA) stopped the clock at 48:12. But the man who was silver to McNulty’s gold last year in Doha, Dane Mikkel Bjerg, turned the tables and destroyed the American’s time by over a minute.

Canadian Alexander Cowan’s 50:04.88 held him in the top-10 for a while. He was 25th by the end, and Jack Burke was 56th.


American Nielson Powless set the fastest time at the first intermediate check but slowed down. However, he was threatening the bronze medal standing of Dutchman Tom Wirtgen. A crash and ensuing mechanical scuppered his chances. Wirtgen’s medal ultimately went to Frenchman Corentin Ermenault.

Tuesday is the elite women and Junior men’s chronos. Canada has Karol-Ann Canuel, Leah Kirchmann, Charles-Etienne Chretien and Graydon Staples as representatives.

2017 Bergen Road World Championships Junior Women Time Trial
Gold) Elena Pirrone (Italy) 23:19
Silver) Alessia Vigilia (Italy) +0:07
Bronze) Madeleine Fasnacht (Australia) +0:43
19) Laurie Jussaume (Canada) +2:09
20) Erin Attwell (Canada) s.t.

2017 Bergen Road World Championships U23 Men Time Trial
Gold) Mikkel Bjerg (Denmark) 47:06
Silver) Brandon McNulty (USA) +1:05
Bronze) Corentin Ermenault (France) +1:16
25) Alexander Cowan (Canada) +2:58
56) Jack Burke (Canada) +9:25

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