World champion Linda Villumsen was disappointed to finish only sixth in the cycling road time trial today.
Villumsen, 31, has been one of the greats of women’s time trialing over the past decade. Her placings at world champs from 2008-15 were 10, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 9, 1.
However, on a course made slick by persistent drizzle, and having to cope with blustery wind, Villumsen never really looked at her best.
After 10km of the 29.7km course she was just three seconds down on the eventual winner, Kristin Armstrong of the United States, but Villumsen appeared to weaken in the later stages and slid down the placings.
Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia and Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands finished behind Armstrong. Villumsen’s time was 44min 54.71s, about 28 seconds behind the winner.
There were 25 starters.
It is possible Villumsen was somewhat drained by her strong effort in the gruelling women’s road race a few days ago.
“Maybe my legs were tired from the road race,” she said. “I didn't feel like I had good legs today. From the beginning I was sort of a bit tensed up and I just never… Usually you sort of feel better after 10 or 15ks, but I just didn’t today.”
The Danish-born rider said the roads were very slick, especially on the downhill sections.
“It was very hard today. I didn't want to take chances, and that cost me some time. The race didn't go the way I wanted. I don't know if [racing on dry roads] would have made much of a difference.”
This was Villumsen’s third Olympic time trial. She was 13th riding for Denmark in 2008, then fourth in 2012.