Chris Froome (Great Britain) got one thing right when he picked Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) as the favourite for the men's time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Bergen but that was scant consolation for the Tour de France winner after the Dutchman trounced the opposition and almost caught Froome – who claimed bronze – on the final climb.
Froome, who came into the event on the back of winning the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, set off 90 seconds ahead of Dumoulin but even in the early stages of the 31km test it was clear that the pair were operating on different levels.
Dumoulin was leading after 11 kilometres and never looked back, while Froome held back and gradually picked his way through the field – rising from 10th at the first check to third at the top of the final climb. In truth, however, Froome never looked threatening to the flying Dutchman and by the line 1:21 separated the pair, with Primoz Roglic nestled between them at 57 seconds back to take silver.
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Froome first post-race question was of course over Dumoulin's performance and dramatic ride and the British rider was magnanimous in defeat.
"He's been strong for a couple of years now and riding at the top level for a while. It's not a surprise. He's had a fantastic season, winning the Giro and then focusing on this Worlds title. He was by far the strongest man on the road today. There's no questioning that," the Tour winner said.
"Coming to the last kilometre, obviously I was full gas there and there wasn't much time to look around but I could hear the crowd cheering behind me. At one point I glanced over my shoulder and I could see the orange jersey coming up behind me and he was flying. That didn't change anything for me. I gave it everything."
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