Marlen Reusser paces to perfection to defend elite women's time-trial title at Montréal World Championships

Marlen Reusser defended her elite women’s time-trial title with a measured effort over the 39.2km course in Montréal, overcoming a spirited Zoe Bäckstedt, who finished an impressive second place on her senior Worlds debut.

Briton Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) led through the first two intermediate checks before the experienced Swiss rider turned the tide on the young pretender, winning in a time of 50:24, 40 seconds ahead.

Germany’s Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) finished in third place ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team l'Imad) and Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly).

Reusser paced her time-trial to perfection on her 35th birthday, defending the title she won last year in Kigali, Rwanda, with an average speed just shy of 47km/h.

On a flat course, Reusser powered over the long, straight sections, but held something back for a tricky last kilometre which featured a tough drag to the line. The Swiss put almost 30 seconds into Bäckstedt at the very end.

More to come...