Felicity Wilson-Haffenden has led the charge for the ARA Australian Cycling Team in the under-23 individual time trials at the UCI World Championships today.
The Tasmanian finished fourth, just 10 seconds off the podium, in the under-23 women's event in Kigali − replicating what Brodie Chapman achieved in the elite women's race 24 hours prior.
The Tasmanian left it all out there on the roads of Kigali. (Alex Whitehead / SWpix.com)
Wilson-Haffenden, 20, went out hard on the 22.6-kilometre course starting inside Kigali's BK Arena. She set what was then by far the the fastest times at both intermediate check points.
However, after she crested the cobbled climb and the steep gradients towards the finish at Kigali Convention Centre, she could only stop the clock in provisional second position.
Her time was ultimately pushed down to fourth, meaning that Wilson-Haffenden would have to wait for a future opportunity to add to her gold medal at the World Championships two years ago.
"Raced with my heart and left a little broken," she posted on Instagram. "Taking the positives from the first 20km and looking for answers for the disastrous final 2km. 4th is still a big step and leaves me hungry for more."
South Australia's Alli Anderson also put in a strong ride against the clock to finish eighth.
Alli Anderson posted another top-10 result for Australia. (Chris Auld / SWpix.com)
In the under-23 men's race, Tasmania's Hamish McKenzie − who won bronze in this event in 2023 − posted another top-10 result for Australia, finishing 1 minute 48 seconds down on the winner. Zac Marriage completed the day in 21st place.
Hamish McKenzie leaves BK Arena in Kigali. (Simon Wilkinson / SWpix.com)
Zac Marriage accelerates down the start ramp. (Simon Wilkinson / SWpix.com)
Results - Women U23 Individual Time Trial
🥇 Zoe Backstedt (GBR) 30:56.16
🥈 Viktoria Chladonovaňova (SVK) +1:50
🥉 Federica Venturelli (ITA) +2:11
4. Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (AUS) +2:21
8. Alli Anderson (AUS) +2:53
Results - Men U23 Individual Time Trial
🥇 Jakob Soderqvist (SWE) 38:24.43
🥈 Nate Pringle (NZL) +1:03
🥉 Maxime Decomble (FRA) +1:04
10. Hamish McKenzie (AUS) +1:48
21. Zachary Marriage (AUS) +3:48
Feature photo: Zac Williams / SWpix.com