Samplonius accomplishes end-of-season goal

By Gregor Brown in Varese

Canada's Anne Samplonius ended her season on target with an 11th place finish in the women's time trial at the World Championships on Wednesday. Samplonius, 40, finished 1:07 behind gold medallist Amber Neben on the 25.15-kilometre parcours around Varese, Italy.

"I finished 15th last year and my goal was to improve on that this year," said Samplonius to Cyclingnews after being bumped out of the medal running. She held on to top spot for forty minutes with her time of 34:59 until Germany's Charlotte Becker posted four seconds faster.

Samplonius was ready for the "power course" around Varese. "I rode it two days a go and then I did it right before the espoir men yesterday, and then one more time in warm up – I was prepared for it."

The following women dashed her medal hopes, but the rider from Montreal held on to better last year's 15th spot in Stuttgart, Germany. She finished 1:46 off of the podium.

"There were just way too many good riders to follow," Samplonius said. "I knew I would not be in the hot seat for ever. When you start fourth rider off..."

Samplonius races for trade team Cheerwine during the season and posted wins in the national time trial championships, the Tour de Leelanau and the Ronde van Gelderland this year.