Villumsen second in Canadian cycling race

Commonwealth Games hopeful Linda Villumsen has claimed second place in the time trial at the new Chrono Gatineau cycling race in Canada today.

Villumsen, third in the world championship time trial last year, clocked 23:16 for the 17.7km time trial in Quebec.

Her HTC-Columbia teammate Evelyn Stevens (USA) edged her by 11 seconds to take the honours.

Despite early worries of rain after teams woke to wet roads and drizzle, the rain held off for the women's race.

Villumsen (Auckland) was the ninth rider to start in the 43 rider field, but her time of 23:16.17 remained as the fastest until Stevens - seventh from last to start - finally broke it by 11.52 seconds. 

Fellow BikeNZ Commonwealth Games contender Rushlee Buchanan (Te Awamutu) was 18th in 25:22:04.

The road race is tomorrow.