Armstrong just misses podium in farewell contest at UCI Road World Championships

Mendriso, Switzerland (September 26, 2009)—The 2009 UCI Road World Championships continued on Saturday with Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho/Cervelo-Lifeforce) just missing the podium, finishing fourth in her final race before retirement. The Olympic gold medalist, Armstrong, was part of the winning four-woman group that was able to get away from a larger group on the final climb of the elite women’s road race. Wednesday’s time trial gold medalist, Armstrong just missed becoming the first American to ever win world championship medal in both the time trial and the road race. 

Olympic silver medalist Tatiana Guderzo (ITA) was able to sprint away from her breakaway companions and grab the world title after help from her strong Italian team throughout the race. Although credited with the same time, Armstrong was narrowly outsprinted for the remaining medals by 2006 world champion Marianne Vos (NED) and Wednesday’s time trial silver medalist Noemi Cantele (ITA). Armstrong’s result was the best American finish in the world championship elite women’s road race since Jeanne Golay won the bronze medal in 1994.

"I always want to medal, but it's the best result the Americans have had for many years," said Armstrong. "I hope this gives other American riders motivation for many years to come."

Both Armstrong and Evelyn Stevens (New York, N.Y./Lip Smacker) established themselves as part of a strong 19-woman group late in the 124-kilometer contest. Four of the sport’s most decorated cyclists were finally able to get away from that lead group on the final ascent up Acqua Fresca. Guderzo then made the winning move in the form of a solo attack at the crest of the climb. 

The U.S. women placed three riders inside the top 20 with Armstrong in fourth, Stevens in 15th and Mara Abbott (Boulder, Colo./Columbia-High Road) 18th. Kimberly Anderson (Santa Barbara, Calif./Columbia-High Road), Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif./ Equipe Nürnberger) and Meredith Miller (Fort Collins, Colo./Team TIBCO) did not finish the selective course with more than 2,200 meters of climbing.

Peter Stetina (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Felt-Holowesko) lead the U.S. U23 men’s squad, finishing 19th in the 124-kilometer contest. Pre-race favorite and recent winner of the Tour de L’Avenir, Romain Sicard of France made his winning move on the last lap of what he called a very difficult course. The second-place finisher in last month’s Tour de L’Avenir, Tejay Van Garderen (Superior, Colo./Rabobank Continental Team), was forced to abandon the race, which included more than 3,000 meters of climbing, along with Americans Kirk Carlsen (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Felt-Holowesko), Chris Barton (Ojai, Calif./BMC) and Alex Howes (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Felt-Holowesko).

The 2009 UCI Road World Championships continue on Sunday with the elite men’s 262-kilometer road race. Scheduled to contest the road race for the U.S. are Tom Danielson (Durango, Colo./Garmin-Slipstream), Tyler Farrar (Wenatchee, Wash./Garmin-Slipstream), Brent Bookwalter (Lookout Mountain, Ga./BMC Racing Team), Jeff Louder (Salt Lake City, Utah/BMC), Craig Lewis (Greenville, S.C./Columbia-High Road), Andrew Bajadali (Boulder, Colo./Kelly Benefit Strategies), Jason McCartney (Coralville, Iowa/Team Saxo Bank), Tim Duggan (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Slipstream) and Tom Peterson (North Bend, Wash./Garmnin-Slipstream).

2009 UCI Road World Championships

Mendriso, Switzerland

Sept. 23-27:

For full results, click here.

Elite Women’s Road Race

1. Tatiana Guderzo (ITA) 3:33:25

2. Marianne Vos (NED) +0:19

3. Noemi Cantele (ITA) +0:19

4. Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho/Cervelo-Lifeforce) +0:19

15. Evelyn Stevens (New York, N.Y./Lip Smacker) +1:07

18. Mara Abbott (Boulder, Colo./Columbia-High Road)  +4:51

Kimberly Anderson (Santa Barbara, Calif./Columbia-High Road) DNF

Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif./ Equipe Nürnberger) DNF

Meredith Miller (Fort Collins, Colo./Team TIBCO) DNF

U23 Men’s Road Race

1. Romain Sicard (FRA) 4:41:54

2. Betancur gomez Carlos Alberto (COL) +0:27

3. Egor Silin (RUS) +0:27

19. Peter Stetina (Boulder, Colo.) +1:40

Tejay Van Garderen (Fort Collins, Colo.) DNF

Kirk Carlsen (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Felt-Holowesko) DNF

Chris Barton (Ojai, Calif./BMC)  DNF

Alex Howes (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Felt-Holowesko) DNF

To view photos from the event visit the USA Cycling photo gallery, here.

USA Cycling   

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX, and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ licensees including 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 1,800 clubs and teams, 350 professional cyclists, 200 certified mechanics, and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists through various initiatives and programs. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts national championship events for all categories of amateur and professional cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.

Tags: 2009 UCI Road World Championships, Evelyn Stevens, Kimberly Anderson, Kristin Armstrong, Mara Abbott, USA Cycling