A pair of local riders delivered a one-two punch at the Canadian road time trial championships.

91原创鈥檚 Svein Tuft and Christian Meier won gold and silver, respectively last Thursday (June 21) in Lac Meagantic, Que.

Tuft posted a time of 47 minutes and 26 seconds on the 39-kilometre course to win his fifth straight Canadian time trial title and his eighth overall. Meier was 2:08 behind his teammate, who both ride for Australian team Orica-GreenEdge.

Despite the victory, Tuft was passed over by Cycling Canada to represent the country at the upcoming London Summer Olympics.

With just one spot for a Canadian rider in both the road race and time trial, Cycling Canada chose Ryder Hesjedal, who made history last month as the first Canadian to win the Giro d鈥橧talia.

Tuft said he understands the decision, adding that the problem is that Canada only had a single spot.

As for riding at nationals, Tuft said it was all preparation.

鈥淚 wanted to defend the title, of course, but for me, my approach and the way I ride are more important to me than the result,鈥� said Tuft on his team鈥檚 website.

鈥淚鈥檓 not interested in only having a good ride today, I鈥檓 looking down the road at the world time trial championships. It鈥檚 a huge goal for the team, and I want to contribute to us having a good crack at it there. Every time I鈥檓 on the time trial bike, it鈥檚 in preparation for that end of the season goal.鈥�

鈥淭oday is super satisfying,鈥� he added. 鈥淚 did everything I could with the course I had.鈥�

The course favored Tuft鈥檚 strengths.

鈥淭he time trial was run on wide open roads over heavy rolling terrain,鈥� Tuft said. 鈥淚t was hot and windy today. We did three laps, and on the return trip, we climbed into a headwind. As long as the climbing isn鈥檛 too steep, a heavy course suits me.鈥�

Experienced in time trials of this distance in all conditions, Tuft cut back on his warm-up and paid extra attention to his hydration ahead of the effort in the heat.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned that a long warm-up isn鈥檛 important when it鈥檚 this hot,鈥� noted Tuft. 鈥淚t鈥檚 far more important to focus on cooling efforts and hydration. I definitely did that. I spoke regularly with Marc Quod, the trainer for our team. He kept me on course for the appropriate approach. While my experience has helped me know how to prepare, it鈥檚 definitely nice to have him as back-up to guide me.鈥�

In addition to contact with Quod, Tuft and Meier enjoyed on-site support from the British Columbia provincial team.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e been really super to us. They have no obligation to look after us. They have a bunch of young kids 鈥� juniors, U23 riders, upcoming guys. They run a good program, and we鈥檙e lucky to have their support.

Meier will serve as the for the , which takes place July 22 in Fort 91原创.