Adriano Malori carried the responsibility of the home nation in yesterday's world championships time trial but the Italian was only good enough for 8th. Having been close to Tony Martin in a number of shorter time trials, he was convinced that the long distance was his major disadvantage.

It's never easy to carry the weight of expectations from a cycling-mad home nation. In yesterday's world time trial championships, the burden fell on the shoulders of young Adriano Malori whose immense power made him a genuine top 5 candidate on the flat course in Florence.

Being a former U23 world champion in the discipline, Malori has gradually progressed into one of the best time trialists in the world. This year he has taken a massive step up with several close battles with Tony Martin throughout the season. He finished 2nd behind the world champion on a similarly flat course in Tirreno-Adriatico - where he beat Fabian Cancellara - and repeated that performance on a similar course in the Tour de Romandie. He's also taken wins in time trials in both the Bayern Rundfahrt and the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.

While the lack of climbs on yesterday's course suited him well, the length didn't. His best results have all come in a shorter time trials but yesterday he had to challenge the best on a massive 57,9km route.

The Italian hero did a good ride to finish 8th - beaten by compatriot Marco Pinotti who was 7th - but the result was not what he had hoped for. Instead, it was an eye opener for the Lampre rider who got a chance to see where he needs to improve in the future.

"[I am] not satisfied because I had hoped to finish in the top 5," he told CyclingQuotes at the end of his ride. "That was my dream. But this race was very, very long for me, maybe too long. I've only ridden such a long time trial twice during the last three years. This year I have shown that I am very close to Tony Martin and Cancellara but on the shorter distances. Today I understand that on this distance I have a lot to do to stay close to Tony Martin."

Despite his disappointment, he enjoyed the experience of battling for Worlds honour on home soil.

"On the entire course, the people were fantastic," he said. "I don't know how many people knew my name. It was great. I am just happy to finish in the top 10 at the Worlds on home roads. It's great."

Next Malori will leave Lampre to join Movistar. CyclingQuotes also asked Malori about his thoughts about that move. You can read more about that in a later article.