Kanstantsin Siutsou (Dimension Data) benefited from his post-Giro d'Italia condition to take his fifth win at the Belarusian time trial championships. Three-time winner Branislau Samoilau (CCC) had to settle for second while Aleh Ahiyevich (Minsk) took the bronze medal.
In 2004, Kanstantsin Siutsou won his first national TT title in Belarus. Since then he has been one of the leading riders from the Eastern European country, having finished in the top 10 at the Giro d'Italia twice, most recently in this year's edition of the race.
However, Siutsou has mostly been absent from his national championships until he finally returned to the battle for the TT crown in 2011. Again he came out on top and after a one-year absence, he made it two in a row in 2013 and 2014. Last year he decided not to defend his title and allowed it to world champion Vasil Kiryienka to take over the title.
This year Siutsou aimed to take back the title and he was the overwhelming favourite for the race as Kiryienka has preferred to stay with his Sky teammates to prepare for the Tour de France. Hence, it was no surprise that Siutsou took his fourth win by beating three-time champion Branislau Samoilau who had to settle for second for the second year in a row. Like last year Aleh Ahiyevich was the best non-professional in third.
Attention now turns to the road race where Andrei Krasilnikau is the defending champion.
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