Worlds Update: Three Canadian elite women in time trial top seven

It was a fantastic day for Canadian women in the elite time trial today in Copenhagen, Denmark as Tara Whitten finished fourth, Clara Hughes fifth and Rhae-Christie Shaw seventh. All three were in medal positions, with Hughes on the gold hot seat for most of the day. The trio had to watch as the last few riders overtook their times and sent them down the standings. Germany’s Judith Arndt won the gold, with Linda Villumsen of New Zealand the silver winner and Brit Emma Pooley grabbing bronze.

Hughes set the early best time and then had to roost in the hot seat for over an hour until Whitten eclipsed her and Shaw. Soon after, Villumsen, who used to race for Denmark before switching nationalities, received a loud cheer when she took top time. Other favourites like Marianne Vos (The Netherlands) and Judith Arndt (Germany) were still on course.

Arndt destroyed Villumsen’s time by nearly 21 seconds and then waited nervously for Pooley to finish off the mark but two seconds faster than Hughes. This is Arndt’s first world time trial championship to add to her 1997 world track pursuit rainbow stripes and 2004 world road race gold medal.

Whitten, Hughes and Shaw will all go for gold in Saturday’s elite women’s road race.