COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Pooley's time trial quest ends in disappointment

From Sportsbeat staff, in Delhi

 ENGLAND'S Emma Pooley failed to add to Commonwealth Games gold to her World Championships title after illness curtailed her bid at Delhi 2010.

Pooley's quest was ultimately doomed from the outset as an untimely bout of Delhi belly, coupled with the unfavourable nature of the course, ensured she struggled home in ninth place.

Gold went to Canada's Tara Whitten, who won points race and omnium gold in the velodrome at the 2010 World Championships, while New Zealand's Linda Villumsen, who took bronze behind Pooley at the World Road Race Championships last month, upgraded to silver.

Pooley's teammate Julia Shaw, a 45-year-old time trial specialist, collected bronze while Northern Ireland's Wendy Houvenaghel, the individual pursuit Olympic silver medallist on the boards, was sixth.

"I didn't even know how well I was doing or where I finished," said Pooley. "I probably prefer a more technical course. I'm really pleased for Julia. It's a well deserved medal.

"Being in Delhi has been very similar to Beijing - it's been a big Games experience, and people have had the opportunity to get used to all the paraphernalia that goes with a big Games. So I think it's been a very good experience for all the young riders."

Victory for Whitten was far from easy and with Villumsen beginning her campaign just two places after her in the starting list, she was pushed all the way by her Kiwi rival.

But Whitten maintained her advantage in the closing stages of the 29km pan-flat course to seal gold in 38.59.20 minutes to take victory by 4.85 seconds and returns the title to Canadian hands after compatriot Clara Hughes topped the podium in Manchester in 2002.

And while there was disappointment for Pooley, who favours fast hillier courses, there was joy for veteran Shaw, who clocked a time of 39.09.52 to pip Australia's Alexis Rhodes to bronze.

"I did think about giving up last year, but my coach told me to keep going as I might have a chance here," said Shaw. "I'm glad I did as he asked.

"When we discovered the course out here was very flat we thought it might be a good time for me to try and get into the squad.

"I had no idea what to expect out here. As the race was happening I didn't really know how I was doing. I just tried to keep going."

Follow all the action as it happens from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi