 Armstrong crushed her rivals in Austria |
American Kristin Armstrong won the women's time trial crown at the World Road Race Championships in Salzburg. Nicole Cooke of Wales, whose main target in Austria is gold in the road race on Saturday, finished fifth.
Armstrong's time of 35 minutes and four seconds for the 26.1km course was 25 seconds better than defending champion Karin Thurig of Switzerland.
Christine Thorburn was third, 30 seconds behind her US compatriot, who is not related to Lance Armstrong.
Armstrong, 33, said: "We share the same last name and I see similarities.
"We're both very determined and strive for the highest goals with the same focus.
"We're both good time trialists because we both competed as triathletes before focusing on cycling.
"I look up to Lance because he's done a lot for cycling in the USA and around the world. I hope I can keep the Armstrong name flying now that he's retired."
Like Cooke, Armstrong will also compete in the 132km road race on Saturday.
A trio of South American riders have been suspended from competing at the championships after returning abnormal blood tests. Argentines Martin Garrido and Matias Medici, and Brazilian Under-23 rider Magno Nazaret, failed blood tests carried out by the International Cycling Union (UCI).
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