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Friday September 25, 2009

Age no concern for Bobridge and Armstrong

MENDRISIO (Switzerland): American Kristin Armstrong and Jack Bobridge of Australia proved on Wednesday that age is no concern when they both claimed time trial gold on the first day of the world road race championships.

Bobridge, a 20-year-old up and coming road racer whose aim in the run-up to the London Games in 2012 is to put Australia back among track cycling’s greats, underlined his class by winning the men’s under-23 time trial.

Sixteen years might separate Armstrong from the young south Australian but the time trial is often known to favour more ‘experienced’ riders, as well as being dominated by younger specialists.

Licked: Kristin Armstrong of the US won the women’s time trial race at the world cycling championships in Switzerland on Wednesday. — Reuters

The gap in years certainly did not stop the 36-year-old from Idaho, the reigning Olympic champion, from crushing her rivals in the elite women’s event to reclaim the rainbow jersey she last won in 2006.

Armstrong timed 35:26 for the undulating 26.8km course to leave Italian Noemi Cantele, 28, in second at 55secs with Denmark’s Linda Villumsen, 24, at 58 in third place.

While she is set to retire after the women’s elite road race tomorrow, Bobridge is just beginning what should be a long and successful career among the European elite.

After claiming a host of track cycling titles at national and Oceania level in recent years, Bobridge’s dream is to forge a road career like many of his Australian peers.

But despite signing with American Pro Tour team Garmin, Bobridge said one of his priorities during his initial two-year spell with the team will be to prepare on the track for the London Olympics.

“The reason I joined Garmin was because they’re dedicated to supporting my track ambitions for the next couple of years, up to London in 2012,” said Bobridge.

“That’s one of my major goals but I’m also looking forward to getting to Europe to race among the pros (on the road).” — AFP

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