Allen wins gold for Australia at road world titles

Allen powered through the 13.9km course in 19:18.63 after entering as the number one seed.

Great Britain’s Elinor Barker won silver in 19:20.47 with Mieke Kroger, of Germany, taking bronze in 19:21.43.

The 18-year-old Allen finished 11th in the event at the 2010 junior world titles as a first-year and has worked extensively with trainers including Cycling Australia junior women’s road coach Donna Rae-Szalinski throughout the season to prepare for the 2011 titles in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In January Allen competed with the VIS at the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic, as well as the Tour of Bright, to start to achieve the level of racing required for a world title berth.

The West Australian raced in all of the national road race series selection events throughout the year and entered the titles of the back of a medal performance at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Allen has shown skill as a climber in road races this season but her main focus has been the time trial.

“To be honest with you I didn’t know I was going to be the last rider until yesterday,” Allen told Cycling Central.

“My coach Donna told me and I felt the adrenaline a bit more. It got me really pumped and I was really glad I was the last rider off.

“I was pretty confident. Last week we were over at the Isle of Man for the Commonwealth Youth Games. I got silver there and that was just a good stepping stone for this week. It lifted the form a bit more and I just couldn’t be happier right now.”

Day one of competition continues with the men’s under-23 time trial from 1.00pm (CET). Australian under-23 champion Luke Durbridge enters as favourite with compatriots Michael Hepburn, a team pursuit world champion, as well as Oceania title holder Damien Howson also headlining the 32.5km race.

Junior women time trial (13.9 km) results

1. Jessica Allen (AUS) 19min 18.63sec, 2. Elinor Barker (GBR) at 1.84sec, 3. Mieke Kroger (GER) 2.80, 4. Thalita De Jong (NED) 14.93, 5. Rossella Ratto (ITA) 31.07, 6. Georgia Williams (NZL) 43.95, 7. Annie Ewart (CAN) 45.87, 8. Kamilla Valin (DEN) 46.34, 9. Mathilde Favre (FRA) 50.78, 10. Alexandra Chekina (RUS) 52.30.