Copenhagen, Sep 22: Tony Martin of Germany led from start to finish to win the men's time trial at the road cycling world championship on Wednesday ahead of Bradley Wiggins of Britain and Fabian Cancellera of Switzerland.
Martin, a two-time bronze medalist in time trial, finished the 46.4-kilometer flat circuit through Copenhagen in 53 minutes, 42.85 seconds -- a full 1 minute, 15 seconds ahead of Wiggins.
Cancellera, a four-time time trial champion, dropped to third after a strong start, finishing in 55:04.44 seconds.
Martin was so dominant he even passed Russian rider Mikhai Ignatyev, who had started three minutes before him. Martin had an average speed of 51.8 kmph , beating Cancellera's 2009 record of 51.6 kmph.
Toward the end of the race, "I was so sure that I would win, I had a good feeling," Martin said. "Now a dream came true."
Martin, who won an individual time trial at this year's Tour de France, had a lead of more than a minute by the 34-kilometer mark, and it only grew from there.
Cancellara had some trouble on one of the cobblestone sections by the Amalienborg Palace, home of the Danish royals, where he ran into the barriers on the second lap through the capital. A bystander gave him a shove back onto the course.
Cancellera won the time trial world championships in 2006, '07, '09 and 2010. The Swiss also took gold at the Olympics in 2008.Wiggins held the best time until Martin crossed the finish, but greeted the new German champion with a hug.
In the women's time trial on Tuesday, Judith Arndt of Germany won the gold medal ahead of New Zealand's Linda Villumsen and defending champion Emma Pooley of Britain.
Australia leads the medals table with two golds and two bronzes, followed by Germany with two golds and a silver. AP
