FRENCH rider Jeannie Longo raced to her 11th world title with a comfortable victory in the women's time trial at the world cycling road race championships yesterday.

Longo (38), covered the 26.4 kms in 35 minutes 16 seconds to successfully defend her title and erase the memory of her Olympic defeat to Russia's Zoulfia Zabirova.

France also took the silver medal, with Catherine Marsal finishing nearly 49 seconds behind Longo, whose medal-winning career began with a track bronze and road race silver 16 years ago.

Alessandrn Cappellotto of Italy took the bronze in 36:10, with Zabirova nearly 21 seconds further back in fourth.

"I did not start too fast, but when I heard that I had a lead of 10 seconds that gave me the confidence to open up," Longo said.

On current form Longo should claim her 12th world crown when she defends her road race title over 100 km on Saturday.