Cycling: Mikkel Bjerg (Giant-Castelli) won the World Championship time trial in the U23 class and is the successor to Marco Mathis (Katusha-Alpecin). The Germans, Swiss and Austrians could not take part in the fight for the medals this year. In addition to the U23 men, the junior women were also at the start today. There, the Italian Elena Pirrone secured gold. Germany's Hannah Ludwig missed the bronze medal in fourth place by just three seconds.
U23 men: Bjerg incredibly confident - favorite Asgreen disappointing
The winner Mikkel Bjerg needed 37:47 minutes for the 06-kilometer course in Bergen. The only 18-year-old Dane won despite a defect with a lead of more than a minute in front of the American Brandon McNulty (Rally Cycling) and the Frenchman Corentin Ermenault (Wiggins). European champion and top favorite Kasper Asgreen (Virtu Cycling) finished seventh, one and a half minutes behind. While three Germans finished in the top four last year, they didn't play a role today. The best German was Julian Braun (Lotto-Kern Haus) in 19th place, one position ahead of Patrick Haller (Rad-Net Rose).
Get full results from today's events here #Bergen2017 #racetocelebrate https://t.co/XdTP7xnxj0 Photo: Bjørn Erik Nesse pic.twitter.com/nBvXvJf1cp
— Bergen 2017 (@bergen2017) September 18, 2017
Juniors: Only three seconds missing Hannah Ludwig
Even before the U23 men, the young women threw themselves onto the track. The Italian Elena Pirrone, who finished tenth the year before, triumphed in the juniors. Her compatriot Alessia Vigilia relegated her to second place by seven seconds. There is a gap behind them, before Australia's Madeleine Fasnacht follows, 43 seconds behind. Only another three seconds slower was the best German Hannah Ludwig. Understandably, she was a little sad about it after the race: "Of course you're a bit disappointed at first, especially since I've been sitting in the hot seat on bronze for a long time." With a little distance, she was satisfied: "If I had been told beforehand that I would be fourth, I would not have believed it." All in all, she can be happy with her season anyway. After all, she finished fifth at the European Championships and won the federal cycling league. Lea Lin Teutenberg, who finished 13th, was also strong today.
To start the #WM in #Bergen2017 effect @wirsindradsport the first #Medal missed by just three seconds. Great race from Hannah Ludwig! pic.twitter.com/pT89brjVpS
— GermanyDeineTour (@DeineTour) September 18, 2017