September 16, 2012 (Sittard, NED) – The 2012 Road World Championships began this morning in Sittard, Holland with Team Time Trials and the largest crowd turn-outs for women’s cycling in this cycling-crazy country that delivered a perfect day weather-wise with sunshine and a light breeze.

The twelve pro women’s teams competing, a third of which were from the Netherlands, brought back the TTT to the World Championships for the first time since 1994 – and from the sound of the crowds, it should return again next year.

The women faced a tough 34.2km mix of technical moves through various roundabouts, and of course, climbing the legendary Cauberg where, unlike the Amstel Gold Race, they didn’t finish atop the hill but battled along the final flat 1,700 meters to the finish.

Team Specialized-lululemon, led by three Germans, two Americans and one Dutch rider, smoked the silver medal Australian team Orica-AIS by 24.19 seconds with a final time of 46:31.63, while the bronze medalists  AA Drink-Leontien.NL Cycling was nearly 2 minutes behind at +1:59.32. But the Dutch squad beat it’s compatriot team, Rabobank, who were ranked third.

On the first split at 11.9km the Specialized-lululemon had less than a second over Orica-AIS but after the first climb at Lange Raarberg (1,300m@4.5%) they had bloated their lead to 13 seconds and extended it by another 7 seconds after Bergesweg climb (2,700m@3.3% grade) and extended it further while suffering on the Cauberg climb (1,200m@5.8%).

Evelyn Stevens of Specialized (USA) commented: “I enjoy all the different time trials, it’s what I train for, so although this length was shorter than some others, I’m still ready for any length course – though certainly it was more technical than most in Europe, it was a tricky course.”

Her teammate, Ellen Van Dijk (NED), agreed: “Our work as as team today was consistent, and the Cauberg was a challenge for us, but the crowds and perfect weather lifted me and I think we gained a few seconds there just for that convergence of weather, crowds and our plan.”

On Sept. 18, Judith Arndt (GER) will defend her ITT title against all rivals in the women’s time trial from Eijsden to Valkenburg, from the south-west, on a lesser course of 24.3km. Arndt, who is retiring after this season hopes to finish her spectacular career with another world title.

Results

1. Team Specialized-Lululemon  46:31.6
Charlotte Becker (Ger)
Amber Neben (USA)
Evelyn Stevens (USA)
Ina Teutenberg (Ger)
Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned)
Trixi Worrack (Ger)

2. Orica-Ais  00:24.2
Judith Arndt (Ger)
Shara Gillow (Aus)
Loes Gunnewijk (Ned)
Melissa Hoskins (Aus)
Alexis Rhodes (Aus)
Linda Melanie Villumsen (Nzl)

3. Aa Drink-Leontien.Nl Cycling Team  01:59.3
Chantal Blaak (Ned)
Lucinda Brand (Ned)
Jessie Daams (Bel)
Sharon Laws (Gbr)
Emma Pooley (Gbr)
Kirsten Wild (Ned)

4. Rabobank Women Cyclng Team  02:20.4
Tatiana Antoshina (Rus)
Thalita De Jong (Ned)
Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra)
Iris Slappendel (Ned)
Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned)
Marianne Vos (Ned)

5. Rusvelo  02:30.6
Natalia Boyarskaya (Rus)
Svetlana Bubnenkova (Rus)
Romy Kasper (Ger)
Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger)
Irina Molicheva (Rus)
Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus)

6. Be Pink  03:14.8
Alena Amialiusik (Blr)
Noemi Cantele (Ita)
Simona Frapporti (Ita)
Elke Gebhardt (Ger)
Julia Martisova (Rus)
Silvia Valsecchi (Ita)

7. S.C. Michela Fanini Rox  04:37.3
Alexandra Burchenkova (Rus)
Verónica Leal Balderas (Mex)
Martina Ruzickova (Cze)
Azucena Sanchez Benito (Esp)
Valentina Scandolara (Ita)
Grete Treier (Est)

8. Hitec Products-Mistral Home Cycling Team  04:38.0
Tone Hatteland Lima (Nor)
Cecilie Gotaas Johnsen (Nor)
Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita)
Emilie Moberg (Nor)
Lise Nöstvold (Nor)
Thea Thorsen (Nor)

9. Dolmans-Boels Cyclingteam  05:00.2
Martine Bras (Ned)
Janneke Ensing (Ned)
Nina Kessler (Ned)
Pauliena Rooijakkers (Ned)
Winanda Spoor (Ned)
Emma Trott (Gbr)

10. Lotto Belisol Ladies  05:32.0
Robyn De Groot (RSA)
Sofie De Vuyst (Bel)
Ann-Sofie Duyck (Bel)
Kaat Hannes (Bel)
Ludivine Henrion (Bel)
Kim Schoonbaert (Bel)

11. Skil 1T4I  05:33.3
Suzanne De Goede (Ned)
Kelly Markus (Ned)
Amy Pieters (Ned)
Esra Tromp (Ned)
Monique Van De Ree (Ned)
Adrie Visser (Ned)

12. Sengers Ladies Cycling Team  05:45.9
Kimberly Buyl (Bel)
Vera Koedooder (Ned)
Claudia Koster (Ned)
Birgit Lavrijssen (Ned)
Inge Roggeman (Bel)
Geerike Schreurs (Ned)