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Sarah Storey: World Time Trial Champion!
Sarah Storey Diary - After winning the World Title on day 1 of the Championships, Sarah Storey writes about the expereince.
"After winning my first Road Time Trial World title around 11 months ago, the title defence seemed to come round quickly and before I knew it I was sat on the start ramp as the final rider off in my classification, C5. My class is for riders who have a mild disability, usually only one hand to hold onto the bar with, or a mild form of cerebral palsy or a minimal malfunction of one limb which does not affect function too greatly.
The course was going to be a great challenge and as I blasted off into the starting loop through a housing estate, I hoped I would start to see some of the riders in front of me, as we were all starting at minute intervals. After about 3 or 4km I was approaching the main climb on the larger circuit, could see my minute rider, but got my first time check from Barney who told me I was 10 seconds down on the very first rider off, the unseeded rider from Poland, Anna Harkowska. I’d not previously raced Anna on the road and I made sure that I didn’t panic and trusted my usually good pace judgement.
The gap had not extended at the top of the climb and I powered over the top hoping my improved descending would keep me in contention. The 70kph descent dropped down to the riverside and then the false flat section slowed the bike up and it was time to pour on the power again. As I finished the big loop Barney was there again telling me I’d made up the time and had crept up to a 10 second lead when I crossed the start/finish line.
The start of the short loop saw me catch four riders in front virtually all at the same time. First it was my four minute girl, then my three minute, then my two minute and finally my one minute rider. With 10.5km still to ride, it was time to dig deep and power through the remaining km’s to try and secure the title again.
As I finished the short lap for the second time Barney was telling me I was further ahead, this time by 20 seconds. This gap was maintained by the top of the climb and as I thought I was ready to throw up, I pressed on the pedals to go over the top and lift the speed on the fast descent again. In this final 5.5km, which was mainly downhill or flat, I took a further 41 seconds out of the main challenger and was greeted by a beaming husband who was stood with my parents just short of the finish line to clap me home!
I crossed the line with a time of 33m 36s, with my Polish rival finishing in 34m 38s and the third placed rider Greta Neiminas from USA 35m 56s. But with barely time to catch my breath, I was escorted straight to dope control which I fortunately completed inside 20 minutes and it was straight back out to the medal ceremony.
It’s so hard to put into words the truly amazing feeling you get when you are announced as the World Champion. I was so proud stepping forwards to receive my medal and white stripey jersey and as the anthem started I realised I’d completed the job!
There’s a big thank you that goes out to Barney for all this support in taking me to race after race all year and to my parents who are often in tow as cheerleaders and are always round the corner with food! And of course to my team Horizon Fitness for giving me the opportunities to keep on pushing the boundaries with my racing. Thank you everyone, I couldn’t have done it without you."
Sarah x
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