Alex Dowsett got his Worlds campaign off to the best possible start as he helped his Movistar team take a maiden medal in the team time trial. Now he targets a top 10 in the time trial before he slots into a domestique role for the road race.

For several years, Movistar have been perennial contenders in grand tour time trials and they have even won a few along the way. However, during the first three years of the race, they failed to make it onto the podium at Worlds.

Last Sunday that finally changed when they took the bronze medal in the 2015 edition of the event. One of the key contributors to the performance was Alex Dowsett.

“We aimed for the podium,” he told CyclingQuotes after the race. “We knew QuickStep and BMC would be really tough to beat. We knew we stood a chance of getting onto the podium. There are strong teams here from Orica and Giant. We are very happy with the result.

“We have a lot of climbers in Movistar and we had a couple of climbers here. It’s a flat, fast course which perhaps went slightly against us. We did a really good job. As a team we rode incredibly well together.

“Every year we get better and better. Last year we were 8th or something. Canyon bring out a new TT bike for next year. I think we are all learning how to ride better together so for sure we can improve on this.”

On Wednesday, Dowsett will line up as one of two British riders for the time trial but he has modest ambitions.

“I will just go out there and do what I can do,” he said. “It’s a completely different kettle of fish to this. I can take quite good confidence from this. For Great Britain, a place in the top 10 is the goal because we will get a spot for the Olympics next year so that will be my target. Everything else is a bonus.”

However, Dowsett could not have asked for a better course. The route in Richmond is predominantly flat and that suits the rouleur well.

“It’s nice. It’s fast. There is a good mix of everything. Some of my teammates would have preferred a few hills but for me it’s spot on,” he said.

On Sunday Dowsett will line up as part of the British team in the road race where he will be riding as domestique. He was initially set to work for Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish but as both have been forced to miss the race, the hierarchy is a bit more open.

“I haven’t a clue,” he said when asked about the leadership role. “Someone like Ben Swift will be good here as he can climb and sprint. He sits in the favourite type of riders for Sunday so if he is the man to ride for, I will be giving my all for him. We will see. My main target is today and Wednesday.”

After the Worlds, Dowsett’s season is almost over and after a year which was partly focused on the Hour Record, he looks forward to a 2016 that is all about the road.

“I will do Tour of Abu Dhabi and that will be it for the season,” he said. “Next year I have to work on my climbing. Having a winter where I won’t train for the Hour Record would allow me to take a good step for next season.”

Dowsett will be the 10th last rider to start the time trial at 14.30 local time-