Annemiek van Vleuten is world champion in road cycling. During the World Cup in Wollongong, Australia, Van Vleuten was unexpectedly the strongest. After an exciting last kilometer, Van Vleuten chose the right moment for her attack. The 39-year-old cyclist from Vleuten was one of the top favorites, but suffered a fracture in her elbow on Wednesday. It is the fourth world title in her career. Van Vleuten expressed her disbelief to the NOS: “I waited for them to take me back, but they did not come!”
For a long time, the same five women formed the leading group. Van Vleuten was not among them. In the last climb, eight kilometers before the finish, Van Vleuten and Marianne Vos tried to break with the peloton. But she struggled up the mountain in heavy rain showers and had to unload. Just before the finish, Van Vleuten returned to the leading group. One attack was enough for Van Vleuten to win. In her last year as a cyclist, Van Vleuten is allowed to ride in the rainbow jersey. The Belgian Lotte Kopecky won the silver.
For a long time it was uncertain whether Van Vleuten could participate in the World Cup, after she suffered a fracture in her elbow during a fall during the mixed team time trial. On Friday afternoon, the cycling association announced that it could still start despite the break.
The men’s road race will be held in the night from Saturday to Sunday.