Australia is definitely doing well for the Norwegians. Ten years after the coronation of Thor Hushovd on the road race in Geelong, another Viking created the surprise during the time trial of the world championships, this Sunday, September 18, in Wollongong: Tobias Foss. The 25-year-old Norwegian won, for the first time in his career, the title of world champion in the time trial. He is also the first Norwegian to win the title. This is Foss’ first major success since winning the Tour de l’Avenir in 2019.
Tobias Foss takes gold! #Wollongong2022 pic.twitter.com/r2pgnULCbM
—UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 18, 2022
Tobias Foss created the sensation after dominating all the favorites. He imposed himself in 40’02″78, ahead of the double European champion in 2020 and 2021 Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) by just two seconds, as well as Remco Evenepoel by 9 seconds. The Belgian, winner of the Vuelta this year, leaves with the bronze, like last year.
Tobias Foss surprised everyone on Sunday, including himself. “It looks like a dream, I don’t believe it, it’s unreal. I had signs, my legs were very good but it’s more than in my dreams. I’m not the guy with the most confidence. I couldn’t do better. It’s just amazing,” he reacted just after his coronation.
Despite his mechanical incident, the Briton Ethan Hayter, who seemed to be having a great day, grabbed the foot of the podium (+39’95). Frenchman Bruno Armirail completes the top 10 (+1″09’24) ahead of Rémi Cavagna, 11th (+1″14’30). The Slovenian Tadej Pogačar finished 6th (+48’13). The double title holder, the Italian Filippo Ganna, is content with seventh place, a few days from his attempt at the world record for the hour.