Velocio-SRAM and BMC Racing defend team time trial titles as World Road Cycling Championships begin in Richmond

Velocio-SRAM secured their fourth straight women's team time trial world title ©Getty Images

Velocio-SRAM secured their fourth consecutive women’s team time trial world title as the International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships got underway in Richmond in the United States, while BMC Racing defended their men’s crown.

Having won each year since 2012, US based Velocio were the team to watch ahead of the women’s event, which took place over a flat 38.8 kilometres course featuring both countryside and the outer city area of the Virginian city.

As the last to take to the course they were forced to wait for the 12 other teams to begin their efforts and it was the Dutch based Boels Dolmans Cycling Team, who boasted Women’s World Cup champion Lizzie Armitstead of Britain among their ranks, who were leading with just the eventual champions to come.

Despite an early puncture delaying their progress Boels Dolmans crossed in 47min 42.38sec to set their rivals a target to beat but by the first time check Velocio-SRAM boasted an 11 second lead over their opponents.

They appeared to have begun too quickly as the three-time champions began dropping off the pace set by the Boels Dolmans team, but they upped their tempo in the closing kilometres to finish in a time of 47:35.72 to edge out their rivals.

The winning team was Trixi Worrack, Barbara Guarischi, Mieke Kroeger, Alena Amialiusik, Karol-Ann Canuel and Lisa Brennauer.

RaboLiv were nearly a full minute off the pace of the winners after they crossed the line in 48:51.84, but it would prove good enough for bronze after Wiggle Honda ended a further 14 seconds adrift in fourth.

The men’s event ended in a duel for gold between Belgian outfit Etixx-Quick Step and the American based BMC Racing, who were bidding to repeat their victory from Ponferrada 2014 which was achieved on a longer course of 57.1km.

Etixx-Quick Step took to the course ahead of their rivals and excellent performances from the Belgian Tom Boonen, who recently extended his contract with the team, and the three-time individual time trial champion Tony Martin put them firmly in contention for gold.

BMC Racing held off the challenge of Etixx-Quick Step to defend their men's title ©Getty Images

Their time of 42:19.32 though looked under threat throughout BMC Racing’s effort as the American squad, containing home favourite Taylor Phinney and time trial specialist Rohan Dennis of Australia, led at each time check and eventually finished 11.35 seconds ahead to retain their title.

“I’m honoured to have been part of all of this, it was a hard race and a big goal for us,” said Phinney, who recently returned from a compound fracture of his tibia which he sustained at the United States Championships in 2014.

“To win with the team is so fantastic, I’m a little bit at a loss for words right now.

“For me it’s been a kind of rollercoaster for the last couple of years, so to get back here and win with the team is fantastic.”

Silvan Dillier, Stefan Küng, Daniel Oss and Manuel Quinziato were also part of the victorious line-up.

The podium was completed by Team Movistar after they finished 30.11 seconds behind the winners, with Australian team Orica GreenEdge a further 23 seconds back in fourth.

Tomorrow sees the men’s under-23 and junior women’s time trial events take place.