Kitchen was the youngest member of the Australian seven-women team that competed on Saturday in the 134-kilometre race around the island of “The Pearl” – just north of Doha.

The team went into the race with a red hot favourite in Chloe Hosking as the sole leader for the sprint-friendly course.

Kitchen said Hosking had been focused on the worlds for a few years and the course suited her perfectly.

“She has worked really hard to be the outright leader for the race and we were all there to support her in her bid for the rainbow jersey,” she said.

Kitchen’s role, along with the rest of the girls, was focused around bringing the race to a bunch finish which kept Hosking as fresh as possible to perform her sprint. 

“We all were 100 per cent committed to Chloe and we all gave it what we had,” Kitchen said.

“Of course in hindsight we can say maybe we should have done this or that differently but ultimately it just wasn’t our day to win, and we are still proud of Chloe’s effort.

“While seventh is not what we were chasing, a top ten is nothing to sneer at.”

Kitchen now will have a couple of weeks off the bike, to refresh and refocus for 2017 where she will form part of the Fortitude Team, alongside Marianne Vos.

“It’s time for some rest, it was a long season with highs and lows, but all in all it was my most successful season yet,” Kitchen said.

“While I didn’t take any wins, I was able to be a part of the finals of the bigger classics along with becoming more consistent with 21 top 10 results.

“Next season I will be on the hunt for some wins again with a big focus on the classics.”