Going into the race as defending champion, Riccardo Zoidl was a marked man in today's Austrian championships. Using anger as his motivation, the Trek rider time trialled on his own for 70km to take an impressive solo victory.

Riccardo Zoidl, riding without any Trek Factory Racing teammates, rode to his second consecutive National Championship title in Austria on Sunday.

Riccardo Zoidl earned his Austrian National Championship the hard way: with a breakaway of 15 riders up the road he chased solo for 70 kilometers, caught the six remnants of the break with 15 kilometers remaining, promptly attacked, whittled the group to three, before launching his winning move on the final four kilometer ascent to win by more than a minute. If there was any question who was the strongest rider before the race, Riccardo Zoidl certainly erased any doubt by the finish. 

“It was a full-gas race," he said. "There were 15 guys in the front and I was four-five minutes behind. For the last 70 kilometers I was chasing alone because it was always up, down, up down and I got back to the front with one and half circuits remaining.

"I caught the six guys with around 15K to go. I attacked and then we were three - [Bernhard] Eisel was there. On the final time up the climb I went full gas and I think I won by one minute. I am super happy to be National Champion again! It means a lot for me, and for the team.”

The 169-kilometer course was a leg-breaker. The undulating parcours ended with three local circuits that included a stiff four-kilometer climb. It was not until the penultimate lap where Zoidl finally made contact with the front of the race after a solo herculean effort, and put himself back into contention for the win. However, last year’s National Champion was a marked man, and once again he found himself without allies. 

“In the end I was a little bit angry because everyone was looking at me and no one wanted to ride with me, and so I said to myself, ‘okay I am going to go until I am empty!’ On the last climb I went hard from the bottom," he said. "Maybe the anger helped me to the win - but I am very happy to have the jersey again!”

Bernhard Eisel (Team Sky) would cross the line 1:29 behind for second place, and Matthias Brandle (IAM Cycling) 2:41 later for third. 

For Riccardo Zoidl it was his second straight National Championship, proving last year was no fluke; without doubt he is a neo-pro to watch in the future. Zoidl next lines up with Trek Factory Racing in the Tour of Austria on July 6th, a race he also won last year.