Cycling: Annemiek van Vleuten today achieved what is probably the greatest feat of her already glorious career. The Dutchwoman attacked well before the finish and continued her solo in a fabulous manner to the end.
Annemiek van Vleuten goes on the offensive early
From the start in Bradford to the finish in Harrogate, the women had to cover 149,4 kilometers in today's road race. Anyone who initially expected the favorite nations to be sampled was taught better right after the start. The Dutch women pushed the pace on the first climb of the day and thus decimated the peloton. Although a total of almost 2.400 vertical meters had to be mastered today, Favoritin dared Annemiek van Vleuten surprisingly early on the offensive. After the preparatory work of her compatriots, she attacked when there were still over 100,0 kilometers to go. The plan: The helpers from the other nations were already left behind due to the early speed increase. In the now totally fragmented peloton, a rapid pursuit was difficult to organize. At the same time, Annemiek van Vleuten's colleagues were able to rest at the back. Nine pursuers emerged, including the Dutchman, who naturally drove defensively Anna van der Breggen.
Chloe Dygert struggles and breaks in
With more than 100 kilometers to be driven, we already knew that this women's World Championship road race would go down in history. Chloe Dygert tried to close the gap to Annemiek van Vleuten, but the world time trial champion clearly overreached herself. Australian Amanda Spratt closed the gap with Dutchman Anna van der Breggen at the rear. So the Dutch women were able to play their cards perfectly. Annemiek van Vleuten wins gold after an incredible solo ahead of her compatriot Anna van der Breggen and Australia's Amanda Spratt. Lisa Brennauer was the best German ninth.