Aigul Gareeva takes wrong turn but still claims women's junior time trial world title
Brit Ely Bäckstedt took bronze after nearly crashing round a corner

Russian Aigul Gareeva is the new female junior time trial world champion despite taking a wrong turn in the closing kilometres.
After posting fast times at the intermediate checks, Gareeva looked locked on for a medal, despite not being considered a race favourite before the start. As she closed in on the finish, a race marshal signalled for Gareeva to turn right, but she carried straight on, perhaps confused by the advertising hoardings continuing down a dead end.
However, she quickly turned around and carried on, beating Shirin van Anrooij (Netherlands) by four seconds.
Brit Ely Bäckstedt was the last rider to set off, and one of the favourites for the title. However, her tilt was almost derailed as she nearly came off her bike speeding round a corner on the wet Harrogate course, somehow managing to stay upright.
She was only a second slower than Gareeva at the intermediate time check, but eventually finished 11 seconds down on the Russian's time, claiming a second bronze medal for Britain after yesterday's mixed relay team time trial.
Speaking after being confirmed as world champion, Gareeva was philosophical about her win, saying: "To be honest, to be world champion is not that important, but to make people believe that you can live better lives and make mistakes but then achieve better results and achieve something in this life, that matters."
Gareeva seemed to still be processing exactly what happened with her wrong turn, just grateful that it hadn't cost her the world title.
"I knew that I was the best but still kept going despite the time loss, there was a kind of mess in my head but I kept going."
"People were showing me the way, to turn right, and I don't know what happened really."
Result
UCI Road World Championships 2019, women's junior time trial: Harrogate to Harrogate (13.7km)
1. Aigul Gareeva (Russia), in 22-16
2. Shirin van Anrooij (Netherlands), at four seconds
3. Elynor Bäckstedt (Great Britain), at 11s
4. Camilla Alessio (Italy), at 15s
5. Wilma Olausson (Sweden), at 17s
6. Leonie Bos (Netherlands), at 21s
7. Zoe Ta-Perez (USA), at 26s
8. Sofia Collinelli (Italy), at 36s
9. Megan Jastrab (USA), at 45s
10. Ella Wyllie (New Zealand), at 51s
Thank you for reading 10 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Giro d'Italia Live: Race reaches Rome for one final sprint stage; Primož Roglič poised to win the pink jersey
The 2023 Giro d'Italia comes to an end with a ceremonial stage in the nation's capital
By Stephen Puddicombe • Last updated
-
My Training Space: 'Work, rest and play – I do everything in here!'
Massage therapist and athletic all-rounder Andy Keegan walks us around his do-it-all garden training room
By David Bradford • Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
By Jack Elton-Walters • Last updated
-
Annemiek van Vleuten soars to victory in World Championships road race despite broken elbow
The Dutch rider took the second road world title of her career with late attack
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Zoe Bäckstedt retains junior road race title with stunning solo ride at World Championships
The Welsh rider celebrated her 18th birthday with a 58km solo attack and another rainbow jersey
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Julian Alaphilippe says he is 'not the sole leader' for France in the World Championships road race
The Frenchman played down his form in an interview with L'Équipe
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tobias Foss shocks the favourites to win World Championships time trial
The Norwegian claimed the biggest win of his career, while Filippo Ganna finished in seventh
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Ellen van Dijk claims third time trial title at World Championships
The Dutchwoman won by almost 13 seconds ahead of Grace Brown
By Tom Davidson • Last updated