Gold, silver and bronze

In the past 24 hours the AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step team added more medals to an already impressive haul earlier this week. Nora Linton became the fourth rider of the junior team to win a national time trial. After Luca in Belgiun, Nela in the Czech Republic, Fee in the Netherlands, Nora won gold in Canada. Fee Knaven won silver in the road race in the Netherlands while Mireia Benito finished of a strong weekend in Spain with a bronze medal.

Last night Nora Linton races in Edmonton, British Colombia. Our Canadian rider faced difficult competition from the Holmgren sister who were first and second at the most recent cyclocross world championships. However, she did beat everyone with an average of almost 43 kilometers an hour.

“I knew I was going up against strong athletes today, but I still felt confident for the win,” said Nora. “I’ve worked hard the last few months in my training so I’m happy to see the results I wanted. It couldn’t have been a better day for a time trial: no wind and a cooler morning made for nice conditions. It was a little hilly but after the fast downhills it didn’t take too much energy.”

The road championships continued in the Netherlands today. Ilse Pluimers and Maud Rijnbeek really did a strong race but there is no U23 title in the Netherlands. If there were Ilse would have taken silver. She was now tenth overall.

Fee Knaven did win a medal. After her gold in the time trial, the 16-year-old was second in the road race.

“It was a really hard race with a thousand meters of elevation in just 60 kilometers,” Fee explained. "The course with all these punchy climbs was not really my thing but I managed to stay with the first group of five riders. I didn’t time my sprint well and finished second. That is a disappointment but the title last Wednesday does make up for that.”

Finally, we go back to Spain where Mireia Benito surprised everyone including herself with a national time trial. She did recover well after yesterday’s race and still had good legs. She attacked with defending champion Mavi García and the Movistar-duo of Gutíerrez and Martín. García attacked at 27 kilometers for the line for her fifth title but Mireia rode to bronze.

“We made a small selection already on the first climb after 15 kilometers. Mavi and I worked together as a little team and we let a break go. When they were caught Mavi attacked and I followed with the two Movistar riders. I knew that when Mavi launched her final attack I would not be able to follow. In the final sprint I was waiting and waiting but I knew it was hard to beat Martín in the sprint but I did my best. I did everything I could being alone and I am happy with the performance and the shape I have. I can’t wait for the next races.”