2022 World Cycling Championships: Ricarda Bauernfeind takes bronze in the U23 class

The 22-year-old from Ingolstadt finished the 34.2 kilometres in 47:38 minutes on Sunday, 2:17 minutes behind the Italian Vittoria Guazzini. Second place went to Shirin van Anrooij from the Netherlands (1:48 minutes behind).

"It's something completely new for me to be on the podium at a world championship. I didn't really expect to win a medal. Top 5 would have been nice," said Bauernfeind, who was the first rider to take to the course in the best Australian spring weather, effectively opening the Road World Championships in Wollongong.

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Ellen van Dijk wins third world time trial title

Medals were awarded in the U23 class for the first time at the World Championships in Australia. The riders competed in the women's time trial, which was won by Ellen van Dijk from the Netherlands in 44:28 minutes. It was the 35-year-old's third title after 2013 and 2021, with second and third place going to Australia's Grace Brown (0:12 minutes back) and the European champion Marlen Reusser from Switzerland (0:41).

Mieke Kröger from Bielefeld finished twelfth, 2:29 minutes back. "I lost a few seconds on the uphill. But I just can't go any faster," said Kröger. On Wednesday, the European track cycling champion The defence of the title in the mixed relay. However, Kröger is sceptical as to whether it will be enough for another top placing: "We've never raced together before. We still have to find each other and coordinate well. This blind understanding that I've always had with Lisa and Lisa. It's possible that we'll find that too, but perhaps we still have a lot to discuss and practise." Lisa Brennauer recently ended her career and Lisa Klein is not competing in Australia due to health problems.

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