CYCLING: Powered by Australian Rohan Dennis with US hero Taylor Phinney making an inspirational comeback, BMC Racing defended the men's team time trial crown on Sunday at the World Road Cycling Championships.

Phinney, who missed 15 months after a serious crash, joined London 2012 track silver medallist Dennis, Italians Daniel Oss and Michael Quinziato and Swiss riders Silvan Dillier and Stefan Kueng in conquering the 38.6km (24 miles) course in 42min 7.97secs.

"To win again and really put our mark on the team time trial is really big," Dennis said.

Etixx Quick Step, featuring three-time individual world time trial champion Tony Martin and world road race champion Michal Kwiatkowski, was second, the 2012 and 2013 champions finishing 11.35 seconds off the pace with Movistar third in 42:38.08.

Australian-based ORICA Green Edge, who finished for the past two years, missed the podium for the first time, fading late to finish fourth in 43:01.70.

With Dennis powering the way, BMC seized the lead by 3.75 seconds after 10km and stretched the margin to 12.39 seconds after going 20km in 18:58.59, although Etixx Quick Step trimmed to deficit to 5.80 seconds after 30km.

But BMC pulled away at the finish, a final climb leaving only Phinney, Oss, Dillier and Dennis to cross the line and produce the winning time.

"Rohan Dennis really pulled us today," Phinney said. "He was pulling us forward.

"This was a huge goal for us. To win it this year is fantastic. It was hard out there. But we did it."

It has been an exceptional year for Dennis who will be pushing to be a part of the Australian road cycling team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Dennis won both the individual time trial and the team time trial at the 2015 Tour de France and also claimed the US Pro Challenge last month.

The 25-year-old was a part of Australia's team pursuit team alongside Jack Bobridge, Glenn O'Shea and Michael Hepburn that finished with the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

AFP and olympics.com.au