Swiss cyclist retains world championship
Swiss cyclist Karin Thürig has won the women's time trial at the road world championships in Madrid for the second year in a row.
The 33-year-old beat Spain’s Joane Somarriba to keep the world title, completing the 21.9-kilometre circuit in 28 minutes 51 seconds.
Two other Swiss, Priska Doppmann and Nicole Brändli, were placed 13th and 15th respectively.
Thürig’s success in the opening race at the Casa del Campo circuit did not come as a great surprise, after she won the title last year in Italy.
“It was an ideal circuit for me with big wide roads where you can see everything,” she said. “It was quite special to win because on a course like that, there is a lot of stress,” she added.
Thürig was voted Swiss sportswoman of the year in 2004. She earned a bronze medal in the Olympic time trial in Athens last year, before winning the same event at the world championships in Italy in September 2004.
All-rounder
Known as an all-round athlete, Thürig’s next challenge is the “Ironman” triathlon event in Hawaii.
She began her sporting career with titles in the duathlon (running and cycling). Previous results include two duathlon world championships and three Swiss duathlon titles.
The native of Lucerne has also played volleyball at a high level and keeps up horse riding as a hobby. She is an economist by profession.
The women’s road race in Madrid is on Saturday, while the men’s time trial takes place on Thursday with the road race on Sunday.
swissinfo with agencies
1. Karin Thürig, Switzerland, 28 minutes, 51.08 seconds (average speed 45.54 km/h)
2. Joane Somarriba, Spain, + 5 seconds.
3. Kristin Armstrong, USA, + 39 seconds.
4. Judith Arndt, Germany, + 56 seconds.
5. Amber Neben, USA, + 57 seconds.
13. Priska Doppmann, Switzerland, + 1:57.
15. Nicole Brändli, Switzerland, + 2:09.
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