On Saturday, Van Vleuten already won the queen stage in Valencia, so she wore the orange leader’s jersey in the final stage. She had written two messages on it. “Today it was exactly one year ago that our carer Gary died during a walk with his wife,” Van Vleuten said on her website. “I had written Gary on one arm with a heart and on the other arm ‘stay strong Amy’ with a heart, because we all sympathize with her and her family and friends. It was just as intense to write those two names on my shirt and carry them with me today.”
In the final stage, Van Vleuten only had to finish safely to take the overall victory. “For me personally there was nothing to gain today, except drive safely to the finish and secure the jersey,” said Van Vleuten. “We did that well.”
Van Vleuten suffered a pelvic fracture in October 2021 after a heavy fall in Paris-Roubaix. Now she seems to be completely ready for the 2022 season. Next weekend, the former world champion and reigning Olympic champion will continue her program with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
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