Wednesday 12 October 2016 18:00, UK
Tony Martin equalled Fabian Cancellara’s record by winning his fourth world time trial title with a dominant performance in Qatar on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old German stopped the clock on a flat, 40km course in and around Doha in 44min 42sec, which was 45 seconds faster than runner-up Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus), the defending champion, and 1min 10sec ahead of third-placed Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain).
The two main pre-race favourites both struggled, Rohan Dennis (Australia) finishing 1min 27sec down in sixth and Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) 2min 1sec adrift in 11th, but Ireland's Ryan Mullen excelled to cross the line 1min 21sec back in fifth.
Alex Dowsett was Britain's highest finisher in 12th, 2min 11sec down, while team-mate Steve Cummings was 25th, 2min 48sec adrift.
Martin, who previously won the world title in 2011, 2012 and 2013, has struggled in time trials for much of the year yet struck peerless form in temperatures reaching into the high 30s.
His time would have been good enough for eighth place in the team time trial, which took place on the same course on Sunday.
Martin said: "It's amazing. I still can't believe it. Everybody knew I hadn't had a good year so far, until Sunday [when he won the world team time trial with Etixx - Quick-Step]. In my second-last race this year, becoming world champion in incredible.
"I always said I don't count victories. I look forward from year to year and want to be world champion every year. For the moment I am so proud that I am able to wear the world champion's suit next year. I missed it a lot and I'm just looking forward to wearing this jersey next year."
Martin was the fastest man at the first time split but the race was still tight, with Kiryienka just three seconds back and Dennis only 11 seconds off the pace.
However, Martin hit the turbos in the next sector and had pulled 21 seconds of Kiryienka by the second split, before another blistering final sector doubled the margin of victory.
Men's world time trial result
1 Tony Martin (Ger), 44:42
2 Vasil Kiryienka (Blr), +45sec
3 Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp), +1:10
4 Maciej Bodnar (Pol), +1:16
5 Ryan Mullen (Irl), +1:21
6 Rohan Dennis (Aus), +1:27
7 Yves Lampaert (Bel), +1:45
8 Jos van Emden (Bel), +1:45
9 Reto Hollenstein (Sui), +1:51
10 Bob Jungels (Lux), +1:56
