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The under 23 time trial is a very
good indicator of the future of the sport. A selection of four
recent winners includes Luke Durbridge, Taylor Phinney,
Adriano Malori and Lars Boom; four of the best time trialists
in the peloton. While Damien Howson and Campbell Flakemore
have won the last two editions. Last year Ryan Mullen finished
just .48 of a second off and he is back as the big favourite.
Don't expect Mullen to have it all his own way with Steven
Lammertink, Mads Wurtz Schmidt and Filippo Ganna just three
names expected to challenge the Irish talent.
Past Winners
2014 Campbell Flakemore (AUS)
2013 Damien Howson (AUS)
2012 Anton Vorobyev (RUS)
2011 Luke Durbridge (AUS)
2010 Taylor Phinney (USA)
2009 Jack Bobridge (AUS)
2008 Adriano Malori (ITA)
2007 Lars Boom (NED)
2006 Dominique Cornu (BEL)
2005 Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS)
2004 Janez Brajkovic (SLO)
2003 Markus Fothen (GER)
2002 Tomas Vaitkus (LTU)
2001 Danny Pate (USA)
2000 Evgeni Petrov (RUS)
1999 Ivan Gutierrez (ESP)
1998 Thor Hushovd (NOR)
1997 Fabio Malberti (ITA)
1996 Luca Sironi (ITA)
The Route
Under 23 complete 2 laps - 30km.
The Contenders
Start list and start order available
here
Ryan Mullen (Ireland)
Silver medallist last year, missing out on gold by just .48 of
a second. Elite Irish time trial champion and finished fourth
at the European Championships and eight in the elite field at
the European Games.
Won the junior Chrono des Nations in 2012 and under 23 the
following year. Mullen's talent on both the track and road has
been long known. Has signed a contract for Cannondale-Garmin
so the pressure is off but expect Mullen to be as motivated as
ever to take gold after being so close in 2014.
Steven Lammertink (Netherlands)
After finishing 14th in the time trial last year it is clear
that Lammertink has taken it to a new level in 2015. Is in his
final year as an under 23 and with a contract secured with
LottoNL-Jumbo the pressure is off but don't think that will
stop him chasing a good result.
Won the European under 23 title in August but was only eighth
at Chrono Champenois over one minute down in a sign his form
may not be where it needs to be.
Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Denmark)
Wurtz Schmidt is an early starter going off two and a half
hours before many of the big favourites. One thing is for
certain he is likely to set the early benchmark. The reigning
under 23 Danish Champion took a big win taking inthe time
trial at the Tour of Denmark beating out the likes of Juul
Jensen, Boasson Hagen and Rasmus Quaade.
Filippo Ganna (Italy)
Ganna took a strong win at Chrono Champenois finishing 45
seconds ahead of the closest under 23 and Italian teammate
Davide Martinelli. While Ganna might have only finished sixth
at the Italian Nationals it is clear he has timed his form for
the right time. With many of the big names electing to skip
Chrono Champenois the biggest question is if his form will be
good enough to beat the likes of Mullen, Lammertink and Wurtz
Schmidt.
Lennard Kamna (Germany)
Won the junior tile trial world title last year and in his
first year as an under 23 Kamna claimed the under 23 German
time trial title. Finished 14th in the time trial at Bayern
Rundfahrt, just over one minute behind winner Alex Dowsett.
Against some more experienced competition it will be difficult
to stand on the top step of the podium
Marlen Zmorka (Ukraine)
Seems to put in a good performance at the European
Championships but is not always able to replicate that at
Worlds. Back in 2012 he finished sixth in the under 23 World
Championship time trial but that is Zmorka's best result. This
year finished second at the European Championships last month,
just four seconds behind Lammertink. The question is can he
reproduce that result on a bigger stage.
Maximilian Schachmann (Germany)
Bronze medal at the European Championship, 16 seconds behind
Lammertink but managed to beat out Ryan Mullen by two seconds.
In 2014 finished fifth just 38 seconds behind Flakemore and
Mullen but with three of the riders ahead of him moving to the
senior ranks he will like his chances of finding the podium.
Miles Scotson (Australia)
Scotson is a World Champion on the track and claimed both the
time trial and road race at the Australian Championship in
January. Missed several months of racing with a knee injury
but has bounced back well since. Australians have won four of
the last six titles and Scotson will be keen to keen to keep
that up. Comes in after finishing fourth at Chrono Champenois.
Davide Martinelli (Italy)
Italian Champion Martinelli has had a very consistent season
in one day races but since claiming the Italian title in
August hasn't been able to repeat the performance against the
clock. Seventh at the European Championship before finishing
third at Chrono Champenois earlier this month.
Soren Kragh Andersen (Denmark)
Has been one of the stand out under 23 riders this year. Won
two stages and the overall at ZLM Roompot Tour, the prologue
and another stage at Tour de l'Avenir plus a stage at the 2.1
rated Tour des Fjords. Has signed with Giant Alpecin for 2016
and while teammate Mads Wurtz Schmidt stands out as a clear
favourite in the time trial don't discount him also standing
on the podium.
Daniel Eaton (United States)
Eaton is in his final year as an under 23 and has the
opportunity to race for gold on US roads. Rides for Axeon
Cycling Team and has spent much of the year racing
professional races in the Unites States so there is little to
compare him with the top under 23 riders. Finished fourth just
38 seconds behind Rohan Dennis at the USA Pro Challenge in a
sign he will be a name to watch.
Other names to watch: Scott Davies, Eddie Dunbar, Thery Schir,
James Oram and Ruben Pols. |
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