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Road World Championship: German mixed relay gives Tony Martin a golden farewell

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Tony Martin World Championship Mixed Relay

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

There could have been a better farewell Tony Martin cannot wish. At the side of Max Walscheid, Nikias Arndt, Mieke Kröger, Lisa Brennauer and Lisa Klein the 36-year-old won another world championship gold at the end of his already successful career. The two trios completed the 44,5-kilometre course from Knokke-Heist to Bruges the fastest, ahead of the Dutch and the Italians.

Strong men second in the meantime

Even before the start it was clear that the performance of the men would be particularly important. Because the German trio got it with the Italians Edoardo Affini, Filippo Ganna and Matteo Sobrero to do, all of whom are among the strongest time trialists in the world. But Tony Martin, Max Walscheid and Nikias Arndt held against it and lost only 19 seconds to the strongest competitors. On the other hand, they gave their female colleagues an important advantage over the Dutch. Koen Bouwman, Bauke Mollem and Jos van Emden they were able to lose a whopping 23 seconds - a good cushion for the women.

Outstanding ladies complete the gold project

Lisa Klein, Lisa Brennauer and Mieke Kröger had the thankless task of completing the gold project, which had been well prepared by the men. But they mastered this with bravura and an outstanding performance. Already at the first split it was clear that the Italians Marta Cavalli, Elena Cecchini and Elisa Longo Borghini despite the best times of their male colleagues will not have a chance of winning gold. The German women presented too well. So silver was already as good as certain. But the most highly rated ladies were yet to come. The Dutch women Annemiek van Vleuten, Ellen van Dijk and Riejanne Markus finally finished in the top 9 in the individual time trial a few days ago. But the German trio fought back. From the lead of 23 seconds - on the Oranje - there were almost 13 seconds left. And the party for Tony Martin could begin!

Tags:mixed relayNewsRoad World CupTony MartinWeltmeisterschaft

More than Michael Behringer

Cycling with all its tactics, stage analyses, placements and forecasts are Michael Behringer's great passion. In 1996 he tracked his first Tour de France. Since then he has observed almost every race. His passion for cycling has been with him for over two decades. There is no end in sight.