• Road World Championship

Martin pips Phinney to time trial glory

ESPN staff
September 19, 2012
Tony Martin celebrates at the finish line after winning the individual time trial © PA Photos
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Tony Martin produced a brilliant ride to defend his Road World Championship time trial title in Netherlands.

Martin has had a mixed year in the tours, but he is a famed time-trialist and proved the point with a blistering ride on the 47.5km course between Heerlen and Valkenburg.

Taylor Phinney led at first time check and was strong throughout, but Martin surged ahead and he was 13 seconds in front at the second intermediate check.

Such was Martin's dominance, he overhauled Alberto Contador - having started two minutes behind the great Spaniard.

Phinney had the bit between his teeth and cut the gap to eight seconds with five kilometres to go. Race organisers but the Caugberg climb inside the final 3kms and it looked like it might be Martin's undoing as he looked to be struggling - while Phinney had power in his legs.

Phinney crossed the line in 58:44 - the first man to dip under an hour. Martin had a time to aim at and although looking to be on the limit, he denied his American rival by 5.37 seconds.

A surprise bronze went the way of Vasil Kiryienka who recorded a time of 1:00:23.75 - while Marco Pinotti suffered heartbreak as the Italian was in with a chance of a medal when crashing out on a tight corner.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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