John Archibald has reflected on an unexpected day in the limelight during the elite men’s time trial at the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships.
The Scot was given a last-minute call-up to represent Britain in the time trial after Geraint Thomas pulled out four days before the event.
Archibald, who also helped GB to a bronze medal in the mixed relay team time trial, told Cycling Weekly he was uncertain how he would fare, but suddenly found himself at the top of the standings early in the race.
After setting out on the Yorkshire 2019 World Championship TT course as one of the early starters, Archibald set a formidable time and held the hot-seat, before he was knocked down the rankings as the favourites came in.
The 28-year-old said: “To sit in the hot-seat for a bit, and to put my name in amongst these guys – I think I’ve done fairly well and I’m pretty pleased with how it’s gone.
“I felt good, as far as the ride, the plan and the sensations through the course. I felt like I put in as good a ride as I could do.
“I don't look back at the ride and think there's bits I would change dramatically.
“Overall I'm pretty pleased.”
Receiving the call up on Saturday (September 21), Archibald had only three days to prepare for the TT as he replaced Thomas and the first back-up rider Tao Geoghegan Hart, who was unavailable for the race.
A recce in the wet and repeated viewings of a course video were the only chances to see the route for Archibald, who hadn’t raced an individual time trial since the British National Championships in June, where he finished second.
He added: “I didn't feel as though I was at a massive disadvantage.
“Obviously, I would have liked to prepare more, but it wouldn't have changed result.”
>>> Alex Dowsett’s best ever World Championships ride helps secure GB second Olympic time trial spot
Archibald finished 14th in the elite TT, 3-11 down in the winner Rohan Dennis (Aus), which capped off a strong performance for the British squad.
British time trial champion Alex Dowsett was the strongest home performer on the day finishing in fifth place, his highest finish in a World Championships.
-
-
Cervélo owner becomes world's largest bike company after buying Cannondale parent firm for $810m
Pon Holdings have acquired multiple cycling brands with the acquisition
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Strava data reveals huge performances from Fausto Masnada, Alejandro Valverde, and Mike Woods in Il Lombardia 2021
The KoM for the decisive penultimate climb fell in this year’s edition of the Italian Monument
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Tadej Pogačar adds World Championships and Giro d'Italia to his wish list but is not done with the Tour de France
The Slovenian says he's still hungry to win at the Tour despite his dominance over the last year
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Jasper Stuyven has his say on Belgian storm after World Championships
'All of a sudden we’re so stupid' says Stuyven after his fourth place in Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'The girls who were still there can blame themselves': Annemiek van Vleuten critical of team-mates at World Championships
Demi Vollering was due to be a key rider for the sprint but didn't have the legs after multiple mechanicals
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'Remco Evenepoel was the best man in the race after Julian Alaphilippe': Lefevere baffled by Belgian tactics at World Championships
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step boss is happy to keep the rainbow jersey in the team but questions the Belgians' ride
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Road World Championships 2021: Strava data shows brutality of race around Flanders
Remco Evenepoel, Michael Valgren, Dylan van Baarle and more posted their rides to the site
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'
French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted
By Richard Windsor •
-
'I don't want to become a robot': Julian Alaphilippe's second rainbow jersey is another triumph for pure bike racing
The Frenchman was relentless in the defence of his world title
By Jonny Long •
-
'S**t, it's up to me now': Michael Valgren 'saves the day' for Danish Worlds hopes
With a stacked team, much was expected of Denmark, who suffered many misfortunes during the men's road race, but still came up with a bronze medal
By Jonny Long •
