Ullrich spoils Millar's bid

Ullrich celebrates with Millar and Botero

German Jan Ullrich snatched the world cycling time trial title from Britain's David Millar by just six seconds on Thursday.

Millar, winner of two stages in the recent Tour of Spain, was ahead of Ullrich at every check until the one that mattered.

The German former Tour de France winner finished the stronger to spoil Millar's day.

Colombian Santiago Botero was third, a further five seconds behind Millar in a thrilling race for the three medals.

It must be very difficult for Millar but on the last lap I had to give everything

Jan Ullrich

Millar beat Botero by a split second in the opening stage of last month's Spanish race and appeared to have taken victory from him again.

But Ullrich produced a fantastic final few kilometres to claim this title for a second time.

American Levy Leipheimer was on course to take bronze after his first lap.

But the US Postal rider, fresh from a third-placed ride in the Tour of Spain, faded and finished fourth.

Defending champion Sergei Gontchar, of the Ukraine, struggled and finished 11th.

Understanding winner

Ullrich is familiar with the emotions experienced by Millar.

The German Olympic road race champion has finished second in four of the five Tours de France he has entered.

"It must be very difficult for Millar but on the last lap I had to give everything and I really didn't know if it was possible or not," said Ullrich.

"I was pretty confident of a good race here because I have been in good form recently."

Ullrich proved in Sydney last year that he could peak for a late season one-day road race.

But he refused to be coaxed into declaring he would make it a world title double this weekend in the road race.

"People say I am the clear favourite but who knows often that is an albatross round ones neck.

"I have to be in the right group otherwise I could find myself with too much to do.

But I have a strong team and that should be a real bonus."

Medal table triumph

The efforts of Ullrich and Millar meant that GB and the Germans are the first teams to win two medals of the 15 handed out so far at the championships.

Welsh teenager Nicole Cooke won gold in the junior women's event earlier in the week.

Elite Men's Time Trial, 38.7 kms:

1 J Ullrich (Ger) 51mins 49.99secs
2 D Millar (Gbr) at 0.06.30secs
3 S Botero Echeverry (Col) at 0.11.73
4 L Leipheimer (USA) at 0.24.70
5 L Bodrogi (Hun) at 1.00.38
6 L Hoste (Bel) at 1.04.28
7 S Gonzalez Capilla (Spa) at 1.26.55
8 N O'Neill (Aus) at 1.28.88
9 D Plaza Romero (Spa) at 1.45.77
10 M Blaudzun (Den) at 1.51.39
11 S Gontchar (Ukr) at 1.55.29
12 P Chmielewski (Pol) at 2.05.94
13 J Nuttli (Swi) at 2.07.63
14 R Green (Can) at 2.17.70
15 E Petrov (Rus) at 2.21.57
16 F Cancellara (Swi) at 2.23.60
17 D Bondarenko (Rus) at 2.31.17
18 N Mattan (Bel) at 2.34.30
19 P Przydzial (Pol) at 2.39.11
20 E Seigneur (Fra) at 2.40.14
Also: 43 S Dangerfield (Gbr) at 5.21.58