Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003


 By Kris Westwood

 The second day of racing at the Hamilton road cycling world championships produced two firsts today: Mikhael Ignatiev of Russia became the first rider ever to win back-to-back junior world champion titles by winning the junior men's time trial for the second year in a row, and Spaniard Joane Somarriba Arrola won her first world title in the elite women's event.

 Because junior riders only spend only two years in this category, for 17 and 18 year olds, it is rare for first-year juniors to be competitive enough to be medal. But Ignatiev showed that he is equally at home on a flat course like Zolder, Belgium a year ago as on a hilly course like here in Hamilton

 Ignatiev said through a translator that Hamilton's course was perfect for him. He spent much of the season racing on the track, where he won a world cup event and three national titles. The ability to spin he would have developed riding a fixed gear on a track bike must have come in handy today, as he averaged more than 46 kilometres per hour despite using restricted junior gearing.

 In second was Dmytro Grabovsky of the Ukraine, who also was happy with the course and said he was impressed with the number of spectators lining the roads.

 First-year junior Viktor Renaeng of Sweden surprised himself with a third-place finish.

 "I was hoping for top 20 maybe if I did a great race, so for me it's incredible," he said.

 Kevin Lacombe of Alma, Que., finished 50th, a disappointing result that he pinned down on fatigue from a racing trip to Europe in September, where he crashed badly twice.

 "It took me at least a week and a half to recover from my injuries," he said.

 His focus is now on Saturday's road race.

 "I'll try to show my colours," he said.

 The other Canadian, Christian Meier, of Sussex, New Brunswick, had a bad day and wound up 55th.

 "It was the worst I've ever done," he said after the finish. "I didn't have any legs today. I gave it all that I have."

 The elite women, who took to the course in the afternoon, were expected to put on a good show, and they didn't disappoint.

 Somarriba produced a brilliant performance, beating Judith Arndt of Germany by just 10 seconds to win her first world title.

 "I came here knowing that this type of circuit would favour me," said the resident of Bilbao, who is best known as a climbing specialist.

 "This is the happiest day in my life."

 For Arndt, the key to her performance was competing in the Grand Prix Feminin Internationale in Quebec last month. The German women's team stayed on in Canada afterwards to do the worlds.

 "This tour we did was perfect preparation, but then it got so cold I wasn't sure anymore," she said. "But I finished second so I'm happy."

 Zabirova, the defending world champion, was happy to finish with the bronze on a course she said didn't suit her style.

 Best Canadian was former junior world champion Genevieve Jeanson of Lachine, Que., in fifth, her best-ever result at the elite worlds.

 "I should be happy, but at the same time I'm upset," she said, holding back tears at the finish. "When I win the gold I'll be really happy."

 Fellow Canadian Lyne Bessette of Knowlton, Que., finished 15th, a strong result considering she broke her collarbone a month ago in a race in Germany.

 "I had the legs but there was a little bit missing," she said. "This was what Lyne Bessette was worth today - tomorrow will be another thing."

 Four-time world champion Jeannie Longo of France, a living legend of cycling still going strong at age 45, was sixth today on a course she said suited her perfectly.

 "I was a little bit afraid of the last climb," she said. "Maybe it was my fault for not pushing enough."

 The indefatigable Longo added she is focusing her 2004 season on the Athens Olympics.