Americans Ian Garrison and Brandon McNulty hugged each other before climbing onto the podium after winning silver and bronze medals in the under-23 time trial at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire.

The two medals were more than they could have hoped for against dominant Danish time triallist Mikkel Bjarg, who won his third consecutive world title.

"I want to win a world title in the future, and I want to make that possible," Garrison told Cycling News after a nail-biting wait in the hot seat after setting the fastest time in the early going.

"For me, it's all about growing over the years and getting better and better. This is just a stepping stone, and I want to keep learning and developing."

Garrison, the American national time trial champion, ran the wet 30 km course in a standard time of 40:46. He remained in the hot seat for more than an hour, watching Team USA teammate McNulty finish just one second behind.

Defending champion Bjarg finished 26 seconds faster and took the rainbow jersey.

"I was nervous," said Bjerg. I wanted to get the rainbow jersey, but I'm happy for Mikkel Bjarg too. He's my teammate [at Hagens Berman Axeon] and I know how hard he works."

In the under 23 men's time trial, rain soaked the course and there were a few spots of water on the inside corners of the circuit. There were some crashes, but McNulty said the conditions made the route slippery, but he did not think it was too dangerous.

"The worst part was a big puddle and I lost control of the bike. Obviously the corners were tricky, but that's what we all did and expected."

Garrison also said that as long as the riders remained cautious, the rain did not affect the outcome of the event.

"There was no bobble or anything. [My philosophy is that you can't change anything. I did. I didn't want to be affected by the rain. I took the rain as it came and ran with it, avoiding the water [that stood in my way]. I went through most of it, but I was able to avoid a couple of things.

"I always try to stick to what I know, relax and concentrate. Today was a little more difficult but I think I did the best I could. The conditions made the time trial more dangerous, but apart from a few downhills.... I just have to go with what I am given."

Garrison and Bjarg were part of the Hagens Berman Axiom team, led by Axel Merckx, as under-23s. Bjarg, 20, will be with UAE Team Emirates for the next three seasons. Garrison, 21, has been offered several contracts but has not yet decided which team he will join in 2020.

"Being with Mikkel is a real positive for me," Garrison told Cycling News.

"I've learned a lot from his focus and specificity about time trials. We get along well and have grown together. So far, he's one step ahead of me. I want to be friends with him forever."

Garrison said his years at Hagens Berman Axiom have been invaluable in his development toward the elite ranks. The team will transition from Professional Continental to Continental in 2020, but Garrison continues to see the team as a valuable option for young riders to develop.

"I don't think it's a shame that the team will be Continental next year," Garrison told Cycling News.

"Whatever happens, I think it's good for development. I had some big races this year and learned a lot from them. It won't hinder the growth of the team. It should be a positive thing in the end."

"I'm also grateful for the support of USA Cycling, they've helped me grow a lot, and I'm grateful to both USA Cycling and Hagens Berman Aktion."

McNulty, 21, has spent the past three seasons with Rally UHC and, like Bjarg, has signed to spend the next three seasons with UAE Team Emirates.

"Of course, it's not fun [racing Mikkel Bjarg], but he's a great competitor and we'll be teammates next year.

McNulty won the junior men's time trial world championship in Doha in 2016. Since then, Bjerg has won the under-23 world title three years in a row. McNulty won silver in Bergen in 2017, was seventh in Innsbruck last year, and third in Yorkshire.

"It may take me a few years to move up to elite, but my goal is to win a world title in time trials," McNulty told Cycling News.