Former national champion Grace Brown has taken the silver medal at the Australian Time Trial Championships for the second successive season in Ballarat.
The 28-year-old was the penultimate rider to take to the 28.6km course, with defending champion Sarah Gigante (Team TIBCO – SVB) the last woman down the start ramp. The duo were both quicker than the current fastest time at the halfway point, with Gigante holding the advantage.
Brown crossed the line in a time of 40’58”, over one minute faster than her time set in 2019, but it wasn’t enough to take the victory as Gigante came home 17 seconds faster to defend her title.
Grace Brown:
“I’m really happy with my race. I saw a huge improvement on my pacing from last year and I cut around 1’40” off my time over the same course. I was optimistic that I was fast enough to take the win, but Sarah Gigante had also stepped up from last year and came in slightly faster.
“I felt really strong, especially in the headwind sections, but Gigante obviously had an advantage on the steeper climb up Gear Ave.
“This race has given me some extra confidence heading into Sunday’s road race and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to fight for the National jersey.”
Australian Time Trial Championships 2021 – Results:
1. Sarah Gigante (Team TIBCO – SVB) 40’41”
2. Grace Brown (Team BikeExchange) +0:17
3. Nicole Frain (Sydney Uni – Staminade) +03:57
