Vennell finishes mid-pack in world time trial

New Zealand rider Jeremy Vennell finished mid-pack in 50th place in the time trial at the UCI World Road Championships in Switzerland today.

The Hawkes Bay rider and national time trial champion averaged a shade under 46 kph for the 50km contest on the undulating course around Mendrisio.

The Bissell Team professional based in the US started strongly to be in 35th place after the first of three laps but lost time in the last lap.

The home favourite Fabian Cancellara claimed the world title with a dominant performance in front of thousands of cheering fans. He also won the opening time trial stage at this year’s Tour de France.

The Swiss rider was ahead at every time check to win in 57:55.74, one of only two riders to go under the one hour barrier for the three lap time trial.

The attention now moves to the challenging terrain of the road course with the elite women and under-23 men’s race on Sunday (NZ time) and the elite men on Monday.

Results, men’s time trial, 49.8km:

Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 57:55.74, 1; Gustav Larsson (SWE) 59:22.87, 2; Tony Martin (GER) 1:00.25.92, 3. Jeremy Vennell (NZL) 1:05.01.97, 50.