Australian cyclist Jack Bobridge has produced a superb performance, winning gold in the men’s under-23 time trial event over 32.2 kilometres at the UCI Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, on 23 September. 

Bobridge blitzed the field, winning the world title in a time of 40 minutes, 44.79 seconds, finishing more than 18 seconds ahead of Portugal’s Nelson Oliveira and the pre-race favourite, Germany’s Patrick Gretsch.

The 20-year-old Jayco/Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) cyclist started ninth in the time trial race and remained the fastest rider through every check point.

‘I’ve really nailed it today and to pull it off is unreal,’ said Bobridge. ‘I can’t explain it, it’s awesome, it’s absolutely fantastic.’

Bobridge also created history by becoming the first Australian to claim the 23-and-under world title. It caps off a remarkable season for the rising cycling star. He has won six major races in 2009, including double national titles in the under-23 time trail and road race events of the Scody Australian Open Road Cycling Championships.

In claiming the world title, Bobridge paid credit to coach of the Australian men’s under-23 road cycling team, Brian Stephens, in supporting his performance at the world championships.

‘I didn't realise it was Brian’s last year till a couple of days ago and you know in the back of my head I wanted to top off a win for “Brino”,’  Bobridge said.

‘The amount of effort that Brino has put in for so many years and to pull off a win for him in his last year — he’s pretty rapt. He’s absolutely sensational and he knows everything — he has been around for that many years and the support he’s given me over the last two months — he never doubted me once.’

Other Australians performed well in the men’s under-23 time trial event, with Jayco/AIS cyclist Travis Meyer finishing in 17th place and John Anderson in 41st place.

In the elite women’s time trial event Alexis Rhodes was the best placed Australian, finishing in 13th place, with Vicki Whitelaw in 21st and Bridie O’Donnell in 22nd.

Bobridge, along with Jayco/AIS cyclists Leigh Howard and Michael Matthews, now has is sight set on the men’s under-23 road race, held Saturday 26 September.