It's Rogers time as Australian claims back 'lost' world title

BARDOLINO, Italy (AFP) - Australian Michael Rogers ended years of legitimate, and not so legitimate, runner-up places at world level by claiming the time trial title in his own back yard.
Deprived last year of the rainbow jersey when Britain's subsequently disgraced David Millar took the title in Hamilton, Canada, the 24-year-old Italy-based Canberran made up for a string of past losses at junior, under-23 and Commonwealth level in blistering style on the shores of scenic Lake Garda.
Rogers, who rides for Quick Step, had been trailing in fourth place at the first checkpoint at 6.3km but moved into overdrive to take command by the second checkpoint at 27.1km.
From there, his average speed of 48.78 kmh over a course he knew like the back of his hand left his rivals out of contention.
Rogers, starting last from the 47-man field, punched the air in delight as he came over the finish line to end his senior world title drought.
His final time of 57min 30sec pushed Michael Rich of Germany into second at 1min 12secs and Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan into third at 1:25.
He then jumped into the arms of his Italian fiancee Alessia, who he is set to marry next year - whether he wins the title again or not.
"It's a dream come true for me," said Rogers, who at a later press conference became emotional as he dedicated the win to his close friend Mark Carter, who was tragically killed in April when he fell down a flight of stairs.
"It was a tragedy for me. I think he was there with me today," he said.
Spurred on by tragedy, Rogers was undoubtedly motivated by having unceremoniously inherited the title earlier this month.
Millar was disqualified and stripped of his title by the International Cycling Union (UCI) following his admission prior to July's Tour de France that he had used the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) several times in his career, including at last year's championships.
The former Cofidis rider's disqualification was officialised at the start of September, leaving Rogers with less than a month to enjoy wearing the rainbow jersey.
On Wednesday the UCI made him go through a belated official podium ceremony, handing him the gold medal from last year hours before he went on to win a fresh one - this time in the absence of Millar, who is now serving a ban.
"It must be the first time that there's been two ceremonies in the same day for this event," joked Rogers who paid tribute to his army of fans and supporters from home and abroad.
"It's always better to win the race from the start. It's more satisfying - not just for me, but for my fans and all the people who have helped me since I was seven years old when I started cycling.
"I've finished second too many times at world championships, and today I think that just made me push that little bit harder.
"The jersey feels nice, I'll just have to get used to it I suppose," added Rogers, who said he had no qualms about the controversy surrounding American Tyler Hamilton.
Hamilton, the Olympic time trial champion in Athens - where Rogers came fourth - is currently suspended following two positive blood samples from the Tour of Spain earlier this month.
A blood sample from the American at the Olympics had already tested positive for blood doping in August, however the IOC allowed to keep the medal after a mix-up when his B sample - necessary for any doping sanction - became untestable when the Athens laboratory froze it instead of simply refrigerating it.
Rogers said: "In the case of Hamilton, I respect the decision the IOC has made. If his second (B) blood sample was negative then I respect that because on the day I had a fourth-place ride."
Rich, who also moved up from third to take the silver after the Millar decision from last year, admitted that his slow start had left him with a mountain to climb.
"It's no big surprise that I was trailing at the first checkpoint," said the 35-year-old German, who was in lowly 19th place after 6.3km.
"But the time difference between me and Michael was simply too big for me to hope for the gold medal."
Jan Ullrich, a former two time champion from 1999 and 2001, had pulled out with a stomach complaint.
But Rogers, who is getting better by the year, is doubtful the German would have stood a chance.
"Certainly today for me was like turning a chapter in my life," added Rogers.
"I've been dreaming of this day for so long.
"It's every rider's dream to pull the world championship jersey on, and today I've finally done it.
"Now, it's time for bigger and better things.