France grab three medals, Byland shocks in Assen
French cyclists dominated the podium at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Cycling Championships in Assen, the Netherlands, on Tuesday (1 August), grabbing three medals.
However it was British cyclist Kiera Byland that headlined the results, toppling France’s defending world champion Aurelie Minodier in the women’s individual time trial.
Minodier was first on the 3.8km course but lost momentum on the turns. Despite pulling back valuable tenths on the straights she was dramatically pushed into second by Byland (6:18.73) who raced last.
Russia’s Liubov Tarasova claimed bronze to add to her silver medal from the 2016 World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.
The men’s individual time trial saw France’s Jeremy Pereira retain the rainbow jersey after a last minute surge from the Belgians threatened his lead over 7.5km.
Pereira was keen to show his form, registering a time of 11:07.37.
It was left to Belgium’s Lars de Jong to give the French a scare. At one point de Jong was just one second behind Pereira but crossed the line just over three seconds shy of his rival to take silver. Alexandre Morel reached his first international podium for France with third.
Lionel Geldenhuys made history further down the field, finishing a respectable 12th to become the first South African to represent his country at a cycling Worlds.
Assen 2017 continues with the men’s and women’s team time trial on Thursday (3 August). The road race concludes the programme on Friday (4 August).
Full entries, course maps and results are available at inasdrenthe.com/ and live updates posted to Facebook.com/World Intellectual Impairment Sportsport and Twitter (@World Intellectual Impairment Sportsport).
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