Antonia Niedermaier has again asserted her time trial talent by winning her second consecutive U23 Individual Time Trial World Championship title. The young German rider delivered a commanding performance on the global stage, solidifying her reputation as one of cycling’s brightest rising stars. Niedemaier finished fourth in the elite classification. Her CANYON//SRAM Racing teammate Chloé Dygert also had a spectacular ride on an undulating course to take third place and a bronze medal in the elite classification, edging out Niedermaier from the elite podium by nine seconds.
Niedermaier mastered the challenging course, leaving her competition behind to win by more than 2:11 from her nearest U23 rival. Before the start, Niedermaier said she liked the course, especially the climbs, but was nervous about the descent and of defending her rainbow title.
“I’m really happy with today,” she said after successfully reclaiming the rainbow jersey. “After I rode the course yesterday, I was excited by the climbs, but also quite nervous with the high-speed descents. I aimed to defend my title and keep the rainbow jersey, as it’s an honour to wear it. So to win the U23 race and finish fourth in the elite classification makes me very happy!”
Following the race, teammate Dygert said, “I did everything I could today, but it wasn’t enough. The talent of the other riders is high. We all train to stand on the top step, so not being there is hard. But I’m on the podium with two of the best riders in the world. I’m very blessed to be here. It keeps me motivated to keep pushing next year.”
The Elite ITT was won by Grace Brown (AUS) followed by Demi Vollering (NED and Dygert (USA) in third. For the U23 podium, Niedermaier took the rainbow jersey, followed by Jasmin Leichti (CHE) and Julie De Wilde (BEL). Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka (Poland) finished in 31st place, and Diane Ingabire (Rwanda) was 60th.
