Omega tops in time-trial

Valkenburg, Netherlands - Omega Pharma-Quick Step won the men's team time-trial, a new event at the cycling world championships, on Sunday.

The Belgian six-man team, led by the individual time-trial defending champion Tony Martin of Germany, completed the 53.2-km race in one hour three minutes 17 seconds.

BMC finished 3.16 seconds behind to grab the silver medal while another Australian team, Orica-Greenedge, ended third, 47 seconds adrift of the winners.

Team Sky of Britain, who were without Tour de France winner and individual time-trial Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, finished a disappointing ninth.

Earlier on Sunday, German team Specialized-Lululemon took the women's title ahead of Australia Orica-AIS and Dutch team AA Drink.

The individual time-trial will take place on Wednesday and the road race will be held next Sunday.

Results on the opening day of the world road championships on Sunday:

Women's team time-trial

1. Specialized (GER) 46min 31sec, 2. Orica (AUS) at 24sec, 3. AA Drink (NED) 1:59, 4. Rabobank (NED) 2:20, 5. Rusvelo (RUS) 2:30, 6. Be Pink (ITA) 3:14, 7. Michela Fanini (ITA) 4:33, 8. Hitec (NOR) 4:38, 9. Dolmans (NED) 5:00, 10. Lotto (BEL) 5:31, 11. Skil (NED) 5:33, 12. Sengers Ladies (BEL) 5:45

Men's team time-trial

1. Omega Pharma (BEL) 1 h 03:17, 2. BMC (USA) at 03, 3. Orica (AUS) 47, 4. Liquigas (ITA) 1:04, 5. Rabobank (NED) 1:08, 6. Movistar (ESP) 1:18, 7. Katusha (RUS) 1:18, 8. RadioShack (LUX) 1:21, 9. Sky (GBR) 1:32, 10. Garmin (USA) 1:35, 11. Astana (KAZ) 1:44, 12. Vacansoleil (NED) 1:48, 13. Saxo Bank (DEN) 1:48, 14. Rusvelo (RUS) 2:14, 15. AG2R La Mondiale (FRA) 2:26, 16. Euskaltel (ESP) 2:30, 17. Lotto (BEL) 2:32, 18. Argos (NED) 3:01, 19. Itera (RUS) 3:09, 20. Optum Kelly (USA) 3:13, 21. Cofidis (FRA) 3:17, 22. FDJ-BigMat (FRA) 3:23, 23. MTN Qhubeka (RSA) 3:38, 24. Acqua and Sapone (ITA) 3:54, 25. Topsport (BEL) 3:56.