"For a trade team to say they are world champions in a team time trial is a pretty big thing for teams and sponsors. For sure, it was taken seriously," Sergent said.
"All the big names were here. In the winning team they had Chavanel, Boonen and Terpstra. BMC had Phinney, Van Garderen, Gilbert. We had Kloden, Zubeldia, Voigt, Popovych. Green Edge did two training camps, so it was definitely taken very seriously.
"It is awesome that UCI have brought it back into the world championships. It is good for cycling and a good event for the people to watch."
Sergent said the individual time trials will use much of the course.
"The course had everything. Some short steep climbs, some long downhills, corners, wind and some real hard sections and finished pretty much on the top of the famous climb of the Cauberg. It is a well-rounded course.
"It is one of the most painful, hardest events you can do. If you are going good it is so painful, and if you are going back it still hurts.
"It does not matter if you are the strongest or the weakest, it is so hard.
"I want to give it everything and have a good ride.
"I don't have any thoughts of a time or a placing but just to give it everything and get everything out of myself," Sergent said.
Bewley had the bragging rights among the Kiwi men after their bronze medal yesterday, clocking1h 4m 7s to finish behind Omega Pharma-Quickstep and BMC Racing.
"The boys were happy to earn a medal but we came here to win," said Orica-GreenEdge Sports Director Matt White.
"We weren't good enough to take the win on the day.
"We gave it everything and executed our plan well, but two teams went faster."
Bewley set much of the pace over the first 35km before he dropped off with the team on pace with the leaders.
They also dropped Jens Mouris with the four time trial specialists bringing the team home.
Fellow BikeNZ rider Jack Bauer was part of the Garmin Sharp team that finished 10th.
Meanwhile, Villumsen worked overtime for the Orica-AIS women's team for their silver medal, crossing the finish line in Valkenberg in 46m 55.82s for their 34km test.
"The girls turned themselves inside out riding at the speed required to win, and we were still beaten," said Sports Director Martin Barras.
"We were initially, and remain, a bit deflated - but are also very proud of the effort we left on the road. Silver is a mixed bag.
"We knew what we wanted and what we had to do to get it."
The team had wanted the win for their leader and 2011 time trial world champion Judith Arndt, who competed in her final event as a professional. APNZ
