Cycling-American Armstrong wins world time trial title
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-21 10:07 Kristin Armstrong of the
United States blitzed her rivals to win the women's time trial title at the
world road race championships on Wednesday.
Armstrong's time of 35 minutes and four seconds for the 26.1km course was 25
seconds better than defending champion Karin Thurig of Switzerland. American
Christine Thorburn was third.
Armstrong, 33, told reporters she shared the same determination as namesake
Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France a record seven times.
"We share the same last name but were not related but I see similarities we
both have," she said.
"We're both very determined and strive for the highest goals with the same
focus.
"We're both good time trialists because we both competed as triathletes
before focusing on cycling.
"I look up to Lance because he's done a lot for cycling in the USA and around
the world. I hope I can keep the Armstrong name flying now that he's retired."
Armstrong used her strength on the climbs in the first half of the course to
gain a decisive lead on Thurig.
"I knew that the first half of the course was going to be the key to winning
because of my style of racing," she said.
"I had to make as much time as possible out there because I knew Karin would
be fast on the descent."
"It was one of the hardest world championship courses I've done."
Armstrong will also compete in the 132-km women's road race on Saturday.
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