German Lisa Brennauer wins women`s world timetrial gold

Ponferrada: German Lisa Brennauer produced a stunning ride to win the women`s world time-trial title in Ponferrada, north-western Spain, on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, junior world champion in 2005, beat Anna Solovey of Ukraine by 18sec with American Evelyn Stevens another 3sec further back.

Last year`s champion Ellen van Dijk finished a disappointing seventh, more than a minute off the pace on the 29.5km course.

But the Dutchwoman, who was last to ride, was hampered in the closing stages by a torrential downpour that also affected New Zealand`s Linda Villumsen, last year`s runner-up, who could only manage ninth.

Solovey`s silver medal ensured a dramatic return to form for the 22-year-old who came back from a two-year doping suspension a year ago.

Before that she had won back-to-back junior time-trial titles in 2009 and 2010.

Stevens, the runner-up two years ago, made up for the disappointment of finishing fourth last year.

Earlier in the day, another German took gold as Lennard Kamna won the junior men`s event, also held over 29.5km.

His winning time of 36min 13.49sec was more than two-and-a-half minutes quicker than his compatriot`s.

American Adrien Costa was second, nearly 45sec behind, with Michael Storer of Australia third, almost a minute slower.