Day 2 – the Men’s U23 time trial

Norway’s Søren Waerenskjold has won the Men’s U23 time trial at the UCI 2022 Road World Championships in Wollongong, smashing the next-best time by 16 seconds.

Wærenskjold, 22, recorded a time of 34:13.40 at the completion of his two laps of the 28.8km course, which started in Market Street and finished in Marine Drive.

He then had to endure a tense wait for the remaining riders to finish their rides to see if his time would remain the fastest.

And it was.

Belgian rider Alec Segaert, 22, set the best time through the opening check in his trial and he looked to be maintaining a blistering pace. However, he started to tire in later stages of the course and eventually finished with a time that was 16 seconds slower than Wærenskjold’s.

The UK’s Leo Hayter won the bronze.

Waerenskjold’s win is Norway’s second of this championship so far: his team-mate 25-year-old Tobias Foss surprised the cycling world on Sunday with his victory in the men’s elite individual time trial.

Monday 19th's photos were taken around Fairy Meadow, the Blue Mile and the race finish, by Lachy Starling and Josh Fahy of Thirroul's Silly Studios.

In other UCI news…

• First Nations culture will be illuminating Flagstaff Hill lighthouse every evening this week, from 6.30-10.30pm – Alinta Maguire of Wollongong Art Gallery tells the story behind the Beyond the Breaking Waves project. Watch the film here.
• Council has shared a list of 10 art exhibitions, shows and displays to look for during UCI.
• Wollongong City Council has issued a media release encouraging people to visit the city, clarifying that while 300,000 people are expected to cheer on the world’s elite cyclists, they aren't all going to be there on one day.

“We’re not talking about feeling mobbed and like you’re in a crowd of people like at the Royal Easter Show or at a football grand final,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“The 300,000 people are over the nine days, with the final day of racing next Sunday expected to be the most popular with 50,000 to 75,000 people spread out across the 70-plus km course. There is plenty of room for everyone to have their bit of space on the course and enjoy the speed and skill of these riders.’’

• Local real estate professional Ian Pepper says agents are expecting the international exposure to give the market a boost. Read more here.