Within a race made chaotic by the rain, Dutchwoman Annemiek van Vleuten rode to fame in a thrilling women’s road race at the Road World Championships in Australia on Sunday.
What made the 39-year-old’s gold all the more exceptional was that she taken part in the 164. 3km race with a broken elbow after ramming during the mixed relay on Wednesday.
Van Vleuten, the Olympic time trial champ, was favorite prior to her injury because she had already won the inaugural Tour de Italy Femmes, Giro d’Italia Donne and Ceratzit Challenge by La Vuelta this season.
The girl had not featured meant for much of the competition, which finished in Wollongong, but driving through the pain she came from behind and burst into the lead in the final 500m to claim the rainbow jersey for the second time in her illustrious career. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky got silver, while Italy’s Silvia Persico earned bronze.
“I understood that I couldn’t sprint because of my elbow so I knew that I had to attack from behind, that was the only real, only, only possibility that I had, ” the Movistar driver told reporters.
“I was waiting and waiting and awaiting the sprinters ahead but they couldn’t catch me.
“It has been hell. I couldn’t go out of the saddle because of my knee and my hip and legs were exploding on the climbs. Normally, I like to go out of the seat and attack.
“I had such a various plan before I actually broke my elbow and now I earn it in the last kilometre and I’m entire world champion. ”