September 21, 2005 – Switzerland’s Karin Thurig has won the Women’s ITT World Championship in Madrid, Spain today, defending her title that she captured last year in Verona, Italy. Thurig defeated former world champion and hometown favourite, Joane Somarriba, with a time of 28 minutes and 51 seconds. Somariiba finished just seven seconds behind, with U.S.A.’s Kristin Armstrong in third. Defending Road Worlds champion, Judith Arndt from Germany, finished fourth almost a minute back. Arndt ended speculation that sickness would prevent her from starting either the ITT or the road race on Saturday.

The weather today in Madrid is beautiful – 18 degrees and sunny with favourable wind. Canada did not have a clear favourite for a medal this year, despite Sue Palmer-Komar, Canada’s reigning national champion, giving her all and finishing 19th, two-and-a-half minutes behind. Felicia Greer, at her first ITT worlds, finished a solid. 28th Next up for the women is the road race on Saturday.

ITT Worlds 2005 Results

1. Karin Thurig (Switzerland) 28:51.08
2. Joane Somarriba Arrola (Spain) at 0:05.80
3. Kristin Armstrong (USA) 0:39.27
4. Judith Arndt (Germany) 0:56.68
5. Amber Neben (USA) 0:57.06
6. Zoulfia Zabirova (Kazakhstan) 1:01.84
7. Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel (Netherlands) 1:02.71
8. Christine Thorburn (USA) 1:13.33
9. Svetlana Bubnenkova (Russian Federation) 1:38.92
10. Edita Pucinskaite (Lithuania) 1:41.38
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19. Susan Palmer-Komar (Canada) 2:28.57
28. Felicia Greer (Canada) 3:11.01