Pooley fears a flat ending

Emma Pooley was expecting the worst as she prepared to defend her time trial title at the Road World Championships in Denmark today.

The 28-year-old became the first British woman cyclist to claim the honour when she triumphed in Melbourne but the course in Copenhagen is much flatter than the one last year.

"I'm a bit disappointed Denmark has no mountains but it's probably not their fault," joked Pooley, who as defending champion will be the last rider out over the 17.2 mile course. "I'm still looking forward to it although I'm sure I won't win again."

Yesterday, Britain's Elinor Barker took silver in the junior women's time trial and was just two seconds off gold.