Johnny Bellis scored Britain's first men's medal at the world road race championships on Saturday (Sept 29) since Graham Webb won the amateur world title in 1967. Bellis took bronze in a hectic up-hill sprint finish at the end of the under-23 race in Stuttgart.
The Isle of Man rider, just 19 years old and in his first season as an under 23 rider, was well placed in the decisive final five hundred metres, and dodged a crash on the line after the bunch reformed on the last lap.
Having stayed hidden in the wheels throughout the race, Bellis accelerated out of the right-hand side of the bunch in the tough uphill sprint at the end of the 172-kilometre event to finish third behind Slovakian Peter Velits, the winner of the recent GP Fourmies, and Australia?s Wesley Sulzberger.
Like fellow Isle of Man resident Mark Cavendish, Bellis has transformed his natural speed and sprinting ability from the track to the road. He is part of British Cycling's Olympic Academy group based in Tuscany directed by Rod Ellingworth and helped by Max Sciandri.
During his short career he has already won several medals on the track and was part of the 2007 team pursuit quartet that took gold in the European championships in Cottbus this July. He showed his individual talent by also winning the European scratch title and has impressed throughout his time racing in Italy.
As Bellis crossed the line punching the air in delight he brought cheers from all the British Cycling team in Stuttgart. Everyone in the pits area were still on a high from Emma Pooley?s impressive tenth place in the women?s road race, and there was more celebration after Bellis pulled out a great sprint.
Both Ian Stannard and Ben Swift were happy for their Academy team-mate but disappointed with their own result. Both followed the pre-race tactic of waiting for the final two laps.
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Swift was struck by cramp on the final lap, while Stannard sacrificed his own chances by helping to close the gap on a dangerous breakaway, and then by giving his all to chase a late attack by a Russian rider. Stannard finished 67th at 2-21, with Swift 75th at 4-48. Bellis has taken the glory but they all deserve part of the praise for a great result.
Under-23 men sprint to the line. Photos by Andy Jones
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007: UNDER-23 ROAD RACE RESULTS
1 Peter Velits (Slovakia) 171.9km in 4-21-22
2 Wesley Sulzberger (Australia)
3 Jonathan Bellis (Great Britain)
4 Tom Leezer (Netherlands)
5 Danilo Wyss (Switzerland) all same time
British
67 Ian Stannard (Great Britain) at 2-21
75 Ben Swift (Great Britain) at 4-48
2007 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NEWS
Bettini fires back
Comment: Stuttgart embarrassed by Worlds
Bellis: "Biggest success of my career"
Pooley: "My tenth place was earned by the team"
Bettini cleared to race by Stuttgart courts
McQuaid gives Bettini green light to race
Bettini in Worlds but Di Luca is out
Wiggins and Millar disappointed with TT ride
Bettini denies supplying drugs to Sinkewitz
Valverde can race at World Championships
Eddy Merckx not welcome at Worlds
Cooke out of Worlds, Brailsford names GB squad
British team get extra places for U23 Worlds
Boonen out of Worlds
Should Valverde ride the Worlds?
2007 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COVERAGE
Bettini back on top
Bellis takes Under-23 bronze
Gold and bronze for Italy in women's road race
Cancellara retains World TT title
2007 Road World Championships preview
Elite Men Time Trial: full start list
Elite Women's Time Trial: Pooley takes eighth,
Under-23 Time Trial: Boom takes second world title in 2007
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