Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel has been crowned road world champion. The Dutchman won gold ahead of Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar in the Glasgow rain despite a fall.
Van der Poel wins as a soloist in Glasgow
A hilly course, torrential rain, and an hour-long interruption due to protests. The professionals certainly didn't have it easy in the road race of the World Championships in Glasgow. But after 271,1 kilometers from Edinburgh to the finish line in Glasgow, Mathieu van der Poel was able to celebrate wearing the rainbow jersey. The Dutchman broke away from his four companions 22 kilometers from the finish and rode solo to his next major victory. And this despite crashing on a right-hand bend with about 17 kilometers to go, damaging his shoe in the process. The chasing group couldn't close the gap. Van der Poel thus crowns himself a double world champion, having already won the rainbow jersey in cyclocross during the winter. Wout van Aert from Belgium secured silver with an attack in the final kilometer. Tadej Pogacar sprinted to bronze ahead of Mads Pedersen.
Bettiol defends himself in vain
These World Championships were truly something else. Not only did the weather and the course profile make it difficult for the professionals, but the professionals themselves also ensured an incredibly selective race. More than 100 kilometers from the finish, the top favorites dared to launch their attacks. This led to decisive selections and numerous abandonments early on. By 80 kilometers at the latest, the race for gold, silver, and bronze was on, as the breakaway riders were caught and the top contenders launched several attacks. With 40 kilometers to go, the Italian Alberto Bettiol was leading solo. Behind him, a group of four formed, including the Belgian Wout van Aert, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar , and the Dane Mads Pedersen. The Germans were long gone by this point. However, John Degenkolb had previously shown himself to be in good form.
Brutal attack by Van der Poel.
Que bestia. pic.twitter.com/47he2Xxfjk
— David Sardinero (@davidsardinero) August 6, 2023
Caída de Mathieu Van der Poel a folda of 16 km cuando tomaba una curva y la carretera mojada the hacia una mala jugada! #GlasgowScotland2023 #Glasgow2023 #Noticiclismo #Ciclismo pic.twitter.com/SLJnU4yBIg
— NotiCiclismo ➡ #TdP2023 (@Noticiclismo1) August 6, 2023
VIDEO VIDEO VIDEO