Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Linda Villumsen won the Commonwealth Games Individual Time Trial Gold Medal at Glasgow 2014, to go one better than her Silver Medal in Delhi four years ago. Setting off last in the all-black colours of New Zealand, and despite worsening rain, the five-time World Championship Medallist, completed the 29.6km course in a time of 42 minutes, 25.46 seconds, to beat British champion Emma Pooley of England by 6.03 seconds. Katrin Garfoot of Australia finished in the Bronze Medal position 48.45 seconds back.
“I’m so happy about today, it could not have been more perfect,” Villumsen said after receiving her Gold Medal. “This is a massive confidence boost for me after years of heartache.”
Garfoot set the time to beat at the first checkpoint after 6.4km but, as Pooley went through almost half a minute quicker with Villumsen just 1.35 seconds behind the former World Champion, it was clear that the fight for Gold would be between the two big favourites.
Pooley still led by 1.3 seconds at the 17.1km check, and had opened this up to 8.43 seconds after 23.2km. A super-fast performance on the final, technical section back into Glasgow from Villumsen, however, saw the Danish-born New Zealander take almost 14.5 seconds back from the English rider to cross the line in first place.
“I want to enjoy the moment before thinking about other significant targets for the year,” Villumsen added. “But I’m excited to get going again and for the road race on Sunday.”
Consistently passing the checkpoints only slightly slower than the times set by Garfoot, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Elinor Barker of Wales just missed out on her third medal of Glasgow 2014, but finished in seventh place.
Result
1. Linda Villumsen (New Zealand)
2. Emma Pooley (England)
3. Katrin Garfoot (Australia)
7. Elinor Barker (Wales)
12. Amy Roberts (Wales)
13. Joanna Rowsell (England)
