WHITTEN SEVENTH IN OLYMPIC WOMEN’S TIME TRIAL RACE

(Rio, BRA – August 10, 2016) Tara Whitten of Calgary was the top Canadian finisher in the Women’s Individual Time Trial on Wednesday at the Olympic Games, finishing seventh. Whitten finished 34.74 seconds behind gold medalist Kirstin Armstrong of the United States, who won her third consecutive title. Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia won the silver medal and Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands the bronze. Canada’s second entrant in the race, Karol-Ann Canuel of Amos, Quebec, finished 13th.

The 29.7-kilometre course was one of the most difficult in Olympic history, with two major climbs and twisting descents. Steady rain and gusting winds throughout the event made it even more difficult.

Whitten, the Canadian national champion, was the eighth rider to start, and quickly set a benchmark time of 45 minutes and 1.16 seconds. Her time kept her in the Hot Seat through eight riders before Elisa Borghini of Italy finally took the lead by 9.22 seconds.

“It was not fun in those conditions,” agreed Whitten, “but I was actually happy that it was not hot. The rain made it very technical on the descents, and we had to change the front wheel because of the gusting winds. I took the descent quite cautiously because the roads were pretty slippery. I noticed even on some of the climbs that getting out of the saddle my rear wheel was slipping.”

“I have to be happy with my ride, because I felt like I left everything on the road. I was really hoping and aiming for a medal, for sure, so it is disappointing, especially because I’m pretty close in the times.”

“I came into these Olympics with a little less pressure; in London I was former world champion in the Omnium and Team Pursuit medalist, so I definitely had more pressure. But I felt like I was a medal contender here, so disappointing.”

“It’s amazing to see Kirstin Armstrong become a three-time Olympic champion; she knows how to perform on the day, and congratulations to her.”

For Canuel, who was Canada’s top finisher in the Road Race last Sunday, the conditions made it difficult.

“It was ugly out there,” commented Canuel. “It was raining and cold, and I had been hoping for a hot, sunny day. It was hard today, and I gave it 100%. this is what I was capable of today. I know I have to keep working on my time trial to get better. It was awesome to be here; I really happy to have been selected. Now I hope to be able to come back to the Olympics again.”