Annemiek van Vleuten waves before receiving her gold medal. Photo: Rick Rycroft AP
Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten has taken the world road racing title in Wollongong in Australia, despite having fractured an elbow three days previously.
Van Vleuten, who is 39 and retiring at the end of next season, surprised by the pack by launching a solo effort with some 600 metres to go, in what commentators say is the greatest win of her career.
Earlier this summer Van Vleuten, the 2019 world champion and reigning Olympic world time trial winner, won the Italian, French and Spanish tours.
‘Maybe this is my best victory . . . I am still speechless, I still can’t believe it, she said after the race. ‘I was waiting for them to get back at me, but they did not move.’
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