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Ekimov upsets Armstrong and Ullrich to win men's time trial
= = ATTENTION - ADDS quotes and details /// SYDNEY, Sept 30 (AFP) - Russia's Viacheslav Ekimov upset Lance Armstrong's plans for Olympic gold and held off Jan Ullrich's bid for a road cycling double when he came from deep in the field to win the men's time trial Saturday. Ekimov powered through the 46.8-kilometre course in 57 minutes and 40 seconds to finish eight seconds ahead of silver medallist Ullrich, the winner of Wednesday's road race, and 34 seconds in front of two-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of the United States. After riding in an earlier group than the favorites, Ekimov had finished his ride before either Armstrong or Ullrich had started. That meant the smiling Russian was able to watch the two favorites fail to beat almost all of his splits over the three-lap race. He had a five-second lead on Ullrich and an eight-second advantage on Armstrong after two laps. Ullrich fought back in the first half of the last lap to lead by five seconds at the final split. But both Armstrong and Ullrich seemed to tire in the final kilometres and were unable to catch the 34-year-old Russian. "I was hoping this morning to finish in the top five," Ekimov, a member of Armstrong's US Postal team during the professional season, said. "When I saw the time clocks I thought maybe I'll win a medal. ... I just can't believe it." Ullrich said winning the men's road race after leading a three-man breakaway in the final stages had sapped some of his energy in the leadup to the time trial. "I had two days to prepare for this race and that was very difficult," the German said. Armstrong refused to blame a freshening wind that hit the later starters -- including himself and Ullrich -- for his bronze finish after saying repeatedly in the leadup to Sydney he wanted an Olympic gold to go with his Tour de France titles and would be satisfied with nothing else in Sydney. "I have no excuses. I gave everything and I got third place," Armstrong said. "The two riders in front of me were stronger and faster." "Eki, apart from being a great friend, is a worthy champion. He is a legend in our sport," Armstrong said. "He has done more on the track and the road than the lot of us combined." Considered a prodigy early in his career, Ekimov won four world championships in pursuit and an Olympic gold medal in the team pursuit with his Soviet teammates in Seoul in 1988. A professional since 1990, he rode this season for US Postal team and helped Armstrong win his second Tour de France title. He was also the winner with Armstrong of the two-man Grand Prix Eddy Merckx time trial in Belgium last month. Ekimov, who will be returning to US Postal team next year, said that these were likely to be his last Olympics. But he said he hadn't decided yet whether to compete in this year's world championships in France, which open with the time trial October 12. Ullrich, the reigning world time trial champion, said he would definitely be competing while Armstrong, who has repeatedly been critical of their timing, said he won't take part in them or other big late-season races this year or next. Afer many times discussing how much he wanted an Olympic gold medal, the American acknowledged he may never get another chance to win one Saturday. "I have a feeling these will be my last Olympics," Armstrong said. "Just a feeling.
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