Dennis defends time trial world title with masterclass ride

Australian Rohan Dennis retained his men’s time trial title as he outclassed the field at the Road World Championships on Wednesday, taking gold by more than a minute.

The 29-year-old had not raced since abandoning the Tour de France but he erased all doubts about his shape with a stunning ride to complete the 54km course in 1 hour, five minutes and five seconds.

Remco Evenepoel, winner of the junior title a year ago, left the start in Northallerton well before Dennis and set a fierce early pace. However, he ended up in the silver medal position, one minute and eight seconds slower. Italian Filippo Ganna took the bronze, another 47 seconds back.

“It’s been a tough year, but this was really special to back up and to come here in the best possible shape and defend the title, to show I’m still here to race and to win,” Dennis said.

“I knew the pace I went out with last year (in Innsbruck) and just stuck on that. I got into my rhythm and I knew I was 20 seconds up at the first time check. Then I knew I still had more to give and that I wasn’t going to die on the climbs. I had [Australia national coach] Brad McGee and my coach in my ear from the car, talking me through it, and it was perfect today,” he said.

“It’s been a tough year. Obviously, there’s been a lot of talk since the Tour de France about what I’m doing, but it was really special to back up this year. It means a lot to come here in the best possible shape and really defend this title and to show that I haven’t hung the bike up. I’m here to race and still here to win. I’ve still got more to give in this sport.”

?WORLD CHAMPION?

Rohan Dennis ?? takes the 2019 UCI Road World Championship Elite Men’s Individual Time Trial title!#Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/sxC8jWIZeM

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 25, 2019

Road World Championships 2019 – Men Elite time trial results: