Denmark tops time trial podium again as Gustav Wang takes junior World Championship jersey

More glory for the Danes, as Britain take their second podium in Flanders

Gustav Wang at the 2021 World Championships
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Alex Ballinger
By Alex Ballinger
published

It was gold again for Denmark as Gustav Wang claimed the win in the World Championship junior time trial. 

Wang put in a rapid time on the 22.3km course from Knokke-Heist to Bruges, taking glory by 20 seconds over his nearest rival.

Great Britain took their second silver medal of the day, as Josh Tarling claimed silver behind Wang, following up on Zoe Backstedt’s silver in the women’s junior TT earlier in the day. 

The bronze medal went to Alec Segaert of Belgium, who faded in the later part of the course to finish 29 seconds down. 

Britain’s Finlay Pickering also put in a very strong performance, taking eighth place despite losing control on a corner and crashing mid-way through his run. 

For the men’s junior TT, riders faced the same pan-flat course as the junior women earlier in the day. 

Gustav Wang was one of the earlier starters, but put in a blistering ride with an average speed of 52.2km/h. 

It was a long wait in the hot seat, as the final rider on the road Segaert was in touch at the timing check.

But as Segaert hit the final straight it became clear that Wang had claimed the gold, following in the footsteps of Johan Price-Petjersen, who won the under-23 race the previous day.

>>> Sir Dave Brailsford to leave Ineos Grenadiers as Rod Ellingworth to take over team, according to report

Tarling secured second place, 20 seconds behind Wang, while Segaert slipped to third at 29 seconds. 

Pickering took another top-10 for Britain with his eighth place, 52 seconds away from the win and 23 seconds shy of the podium after he hit the barrier on a sweeping right-hand turn.  

World Championships 2021, junior men's time trial: Knokke-Heist to Bruges (22.3km) 

1. Gustav Wang (Denmark), in 25-37
2. Joshua Tarling (Great Britain), at 20s
3. Alec Segaert (Belgium), at 29s
4. Carl-Frederik Bévort (Denmark), at 30s
5. Eddy Le Huitouze (France), at 33s
6. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Belgium), at 41s
7. Jan Christen (Switzerland), at 45s
8. Finlay Pickering (Great Britain), at 52s
9. Samuele Bonetto (Italy), at 53s
10. Trym Brennsæter (Norway), at 58s 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Alex Ballinger
Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.

Latest