Portugal Colonial - Dygert puts injuries behind her with time trial world title

Dygert was world champion in 2019 but a frightening accident at the 2020 worlds in Italy, where she careered over a roadside barrier, led to several bouts of surgery on her leg.

Setting a pulsating early time the American, who has also undergone heart surgery and overcome a bout of the tiring Epstein Barr virus, took the title five seconds ahead of Grace Brown of Australia with Austria's Christina Schweinberger in third, 1min 12 sec off the pace.

"This title is truly special," said the 26-year-old who was sick with a respiratory complaint earlier this week.

"I was praying to God I'd be better in time," she said after her win.

Dygert's blistering pace of 46min 59sec on the 36.2km course that culminated with a steep climb to the imposing Stirling Castle stunned the field with only Brown getting anywhere near the champion.

Pre-race favourite Marlen Reusser abandoned the race half way through while 2022 champion Ellen van Dijk was absent due to her pregnancy.

With 86 riders going down the ramp at 75-second intervals Arefa Amini of Afghanistan was first to start with Dygert embarking way before the other main contenders and facing a long wait before she was crowned champion.

P.Mira--PC