Cycling: Gold for Germany! In the mixed relay, the German sextet simply couldn't be beat today. Tony Martin says goodbye to active cycling with a gold medal at the World Championships.
Tony Martin wins farewell gold
Tony Martin couldn't have wished for a better farewell . Alongside Max Walscheid, Nikias Arndt, Mieke Kröger, Lisa Brennauer, and Lisa Klein, the 36-year-old won another World Championship gold medal to cap off his already successful career. The two trios completed the 44,5-kilometer course from Knokke-Heist to Bruges in the fastest time, ahead of the Dutch and the Italians.
Strong men second in the meantime
Even before the start, it was clear that the men's performance would be particularly important. The German trio faced the Italians Edoardo Affini, Filippo Ganna, and Matteo Sobrero , all considered among the strongest time trialists in the world. But Tony Martin, Max Walscheid, and Nikias Arndt held their own, losing only 19 seconds to their closest competitors. Meanwhile, they also built a significant lead for their female counterparts over the Dutch team. They managed to gain a substantial 23 seconds on Koen Bouwman, Bauke Mollem, and Jos van Emden – a comfortable cushion for the women.
Outstanding ladies complete the gold project
Lisa Klein, Lisa Brennauer, and Mieke Kröger had the unenviable task of completing the gold medal project meticulously prepared by the men. But they mastered it brilliantly with an outstanding performance. Even at the first intermediate time check, it was clear that the Italians Marta Cavalli, Elena Cecchini, and Elisa Longo Borghini, despite their male counterparts' fastest time, would have no chance of gold. The German women had set a blistering pace. Silver was practically guaranteed. But the strongest women were yet to come. The Dutch trio of Annemiek van Vleuten, Ellen van Dijk, and Riejanne Markus had all finished in the top nine in the individual time trial a few days earlier. But the German trio held firm. Their 23-second lead over the Dutch team was reduced to just under 13 seconds. And the party for Tony Martin could begin!
LEGEND. @tonymartin85 completes his last event as a professional cyclist! #Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/JZRph8Ugbo
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 22, 2021
TONY MARTIN HAS JUST WON A RAINBOW JERSEY IN HIS LAST RACE AS A PROFESSIONAL
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 22, 2021
Chapeau Germany. Chapeau and goodbye, Tony Martin.
#Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/jbnFA0Ejlh
— Dan Deakins (@DanDeakins) September 22, 2021