Anna Henderson Wins Silver in Olympic Time Trial Debut

Anna Henderson of Great Britain won a silver medal in her Olympic debut in the cycling time trial on the rain-soaked streets of Paris. The 25-year-old, who has twice broken her collarbone this season, completed the course in 41 minutes 9.83 seconds. Australia’s Grace Brown claimed gold, finishing over a minute and a half ahead of Henderson, while the United States’ world champion Chloe Dygert took bronze.

Henderson expressed her joy and disbelief at her achievement especially after a challenging year. She emphasized the difficult conditions and her cautious approach to cornering, which helped her stay upright on the slippery roads. Anna Henderson, who rides for Visma–Lease a Bike, only began cycling nine years ago after a broken leg ended her alpine skiing ambitions. She is now a double national time trial champion and a European silver medalist.

In the men’s race, Belgium’s world champion Remco Evenepoel won gold, adding to his impressive list of honors. Italy’s Filippo Ganna and Belgium’s Wout van Aert completed the podium. Great Britain’s Josh Tarling, the pre-race favorite, suffered an early puncture and finished fourth, missing the podium by just over two seconds. Tarling expressed his frustration but remained optimistic for the upcoming road race.

The 32.4km course started on the Esplanade des Invalides, passed through Bois de Vincennes and finished on Pont Alexandre III. Despite criticism of the route’s surface and continuous rain, the races showcased remarkable performances. Evenepoel’s victory came despite challenging conditions, demonstrating his skill and resilience.

Overall, Henderson’s silver and the performances of other cyclists marked a strong start for Team GB at the Paris Olympics with hopes for further successes in the upcoming events.