Zirbel Finishes Fourth on World Stage

  

(September 25, 2009)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Tom Zirbel, a rider on the BISSELL Pro Cycling Team, captured fourth place for the United States at the Elite Men’s World Championships Time Trial yesterday in Medrisio, Switzerland.

The course included three 16.6 km laps, totaling 49.8 km. The front and back of the course was comprised of flat stretches with a few uphill sections and slight descents. The brutal middle section of the course included a 650 m ascent with gradients up to 10 percent. The 66 starters were sent off in five groups, spaced 18 minutes apart, with the riders themselves being sent off in one minute intervals.

Zirbel, a rider the second group, quickly set the new best time of 1:00:42, and sat comfortably in the “hot seat” for nearly 3 hours. His time remained unchallenged until the last group and final five riders; Tony Martin of Germany, Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain, Gustov Larson of Sweden, Fabian Cancellera of Switzerland and defending champion, Bert Garbsch of Germany.

Time splits for the final riders indicated that Cancellera, as expected, would be the day’s main challenger. Another threat, Bradley Wiggins, unfortunately had a mechanical issue mid-race, which put him out of contention. It also became apparent early in his race against the clock that Grabsch was not a threat to Zirbel’s time.

Cancellera came across in 57:55 on his hometown soil with a large enough margin of victory that he had time to celebrate across the line, while Larson and Martin took second and third, respectively. Zirbel delivered an outstanding fourth-place result for the United States.

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