September 23, 2009 (Mendrisio, Switzerland) – Canada had a strong opening day on Wednesday at the road cycling world championships, with top-10 results by Tara Whitten of Edmonton and David Veilleux of Cap-Rouge, Que.,  in their respective individual time trials.

In the women’s 26.8 kilometre individual time trial, Whitten finished eighth, one minute and 33.99 seconds behind the winning time posted by Olympic champion Kristin Armstrong of the U.S. Noemi Cantele of Italy took the silver and Linda Melanie Villumsen of Denmark the bronze. Julie Beveridge of Calgary was 19th.

Whitten, a silver medalist at the track cycling world championships in March, is competing at her first road worlds.”I really wasn’t sure how I could do, but my goal was a top-10 finish, so I’m very pleased,” she said. “I think I went out a little too hard on the first lap because of nerves and adrenalin, and I paid for it on the second lap. But I learned a lot, and I know that I will be faster in the future.”

In the men’s 33.2 kilometre under-23 time trial, Veilleux finished 10th, one minute and 11.93 seconds behind winner Jack Bobridge of Australia. Nelson Oliveira of Portugal was second and Patrick Gretsch of Germany third. Ryan Anderson of Vancouver was 30th.

Veilleux, showed he has recovered from his injuries suffered earlier in the season. “I had a bit of a problem getting up to speed on the first lap and couldn’t find my rhythm, but I was able to open things up on the second, and it went much better,” he said. “I think I could have possibly done better, but I am certainly happy with a top-10.”

Competition continues through to Sunday.