September 20, 2006 (Salzburg, Austria) – The Elite Women’s Time Trial was the opening act at the 2006 Road World Championships in Salzburg, Austria and did not disappoint. Under overcast skies the turned to sunshine Switzerland’s Karin Thrürig became the Swiss cheese in an American sandwich as the USA’s Kristin Armstrong won the title while her compatriot Christine Thorburn won the bronze.

Armstrong, a bronze medalist in 2005, was overjoyed with her win. She took the lead from Thorburn with just four riders left to cross the finish line. When it became clear Thürig was going to post a time slower than Armstrong’s 35min 4sec effort, she broke down into tears.

“To finish with two Americans on the podium is a dream,” she said. It’s my perfect day, that’s what you need to win a world championship.”

“Two podium positions and the jersey is a great day for America,” she continued. “It’s unbelievable.”

Last year’s champion, Thürig was 25 seconds behind Armstrong, with Thorburn a further four seconds back. “I’m still happy with my race,” said Thürig whose attendance at Salzburg was only a last minute decision.

The Canadian women’s team didn’t have the greatest of days with Alex Wrubleski crashing out on a corner, wrecking the carbon front wheel on her bike and was taken to hospital.

Fortunately the x-rays showed nothing broken and she escaped with bruises to her knee and shoulder but is otherwise fine. Anne Samplonius finished 20th with a time of 37:26.

Results – 26.12 kms

1. Kristin Armstrong (United States Of America) 35:04.89
2. Karin Thurig (Switzerland) 0:25.57
3. Christine Thorburn (United States Of America) 0:29.36
4. Priska Doppmann (Switzerland) 0:55.09
5. Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) 0:55.68
6. Zulfiya Zabirova (Kazakhstan) 0:58.82
7. Judith Arndt (Germany) 1:04.34
8. Lada Kozlikova (Czech Republic) 1:05.70
9. Trixi Worrack (Germany) 1:18.76
10. Amber Neben (United States Of America) 1:26.81
11. Natalia Boyarskaya (Russian Federation) 1:35.03
12. Tereza Hurikova (Czech Republic) 1:35.58
13. Nicole Braendli (Switzerland) 1:41.59
14. Linda Villumsen (Denmark) 1:47.45
15. Susanne Ljungskog (Sweden) 1:52.35
16. Christiane Soeder (Austria) 1:55.37
17. Svetlana Bubnenkova (Russian Federation) 2:05.37
18. Edwige Pitel (France) 2:09.81
19. Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (France) 2:18.49
20. Anne Samplonius (Canada) 2:21.70
21. Loes Gunnewijk (Netherlands) 2:25.64
22. Tatiana Guderzo (Italy) 2:35.15
23. Edita Pucinskaite (Lithuania) 2:42.21
24. Meifang Li (People’s Republic of China) 2:44.27
25. Maribel Moreno Allue (Spain) 2:49.63
26. An Van Rie (Belgium) 2:55.58
27. Oenone Wood (Australia) 3:01.88
28. Kathryn Watt (Australia) 3:15.68
29. Eneritz Iturriaga Echevarria (Spain) 3:20.68
30. Trine Hansen (Denmark) 3:21.56
31. Silvia Valsecchi (Italy) 3:32.97
32. Paulina Brzezna (Poland) 3:57.30
33. Blaza Klemencic (Slovenia) 4:04.71
34. Baerbel Jungmeier (Austria) 4:24.50
35. Urte Juodvalkyte (Lithuania) 4:31.28
36. Iryna Shpylevaya (Ukraine) 5:05.00
37. Magdalena Zamolska (Poland) 6:04.48
DNF Alex Wrubleski (Canada)
DNS Alessandra G. Grassi Herrera (Mexico)