Germany’s Tony Martin celebrates on the podium after winning the gold medal at the end of the men’s elite individual time trial event in Doha
DOHA: Riding with precision and purpose, Germany’s veteran cyclist Tony Martin yesterday cruised to a record-equalling fourth individual time trial title.
On what was day four of the UCI World Road Championships - being held in the Middle East for the time in the event’s 83-year history - Martin clocked a time of 44:42.99 to equal the record set by Swiss star Fabian Cancellara.
Competing over a course of 40kms, Martin stunned defending champion Vasil Kiryienka of Belarus to the gold medal. With heat testing the riders for most part of the race, Kiryienka was 45.05 seconds slower than the pace set by 31-year-old Martin.
Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo grabbed the bronze medal with his third-place finish (1:10.91 behind the time set by Martin).
Martin has now won the world title four times - 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016. Cancellara won his four titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010
Martin, who guided Etixx-Quick Step to a gold in the team time trial four days ago, managed an average speed of 53.651 km/h on a day when the mercury hit 41 degree Celsius.
The German was delighted with his performance that kicked off from Lusail Arena.
“It was an amazing race, amazing field and amazing time on the podium. I had some very bad races this season and this gold medal makes up for all of those disappointments. I’m back at the top of the world,” Martin said.
“The course was really made for me,” he said.
“The only thing I was really afraid of, was the heat. But I already prepared for it at home and we had a good week here with the team. I learned a lot from the team time trial,” he added.
Martin was the fastest at both the splits, maintaining his smooth ride for most past of the day that ended at the Pearl.
Yesterday’s gold was the second of the week for Martin who was part of the side that won the team time trial on Sunday.
The German cyclist now has a total of four gold medals, one silver and two bronze world championships medals.
Cancellara, who retired from the sport after winning the Olympic title in Rio in August, owns three bronze medals.
“I always say that I don’t count medals. I’m just proud to ride in the rainbow jersey next year,” Martin said when reminded that he had passed Cancellara as the greatest riders in world championships.
Martin will continue his career with Team Katusha - Alpecin, after a five-year-span with Etixx-Quick Step.
Kiryienka said winning the silver put a smile on his face.
“I’m very satisfied with the work I’ve done and the medal I’ve won. Now I have the full set of medals from the world championships,” Kiryienka said.
Bronze winner Castroviejo said: “I had a fast first leg. I dropped off in the middle, but was able to put in a very strong last leg again. That was enough for a bronze medal and I’m really happy about it.”
Meanwhile, Qatar’s sole participant in the ITT finished in 60th place yesterday. Afif Abdullah concluded the 40-km course on home soil just under the hour barrier, in 57:36.78.
“I am proud to have represented my country at the World Championships. It was a special feeling. It wasn’t easy, but I feel proud all the same,” Abdullah stated in the mixed zone.
Four riders needed more than an hour to reach the finish line at The Pearl: Saudi Arabia’s Sultan Asiri (1:00:05.96), Pakistani’s Mohsin Kahn (1:00:33.69) and Hafiz Tahir Mahmood (1:01:06.02) and Saied Jafer Alali from Kuwait (1:01:15.51).
