Van Vleuten is the world’s best female cyclist, and it makes sense that she also won WC gold after 164.3 kilometers in Wollongong.

The Dutch veteran also became world champion in 2019, but this time he’s not even sure he’ll even make it to the starting line.

The 39-year-old injured himself during Wednesday’s mixed team competition, and X-rays showed he had suffered a fracture in his right elbow. It was shortly after the start of the competition that he was involved in an accident.

He knew he had to take his chances with a few hundred yards left in the race. He came in at 4.24.25. Silver went to Lotte Kopecky from Belgium, and bronze to Silvia Persico from Italy.

Hell

– I know this is my only chance, because my elbow doesn’t allow me to ask properly. “A little sore in the elbow, but now I’m world champion,” said van Vleuten.

It wasn’t until Friday afternoon that he was allowed in by a Dutch doctor.

Annemiek van Vleuten had a fantastic cycling year with overall wins in all three main stage races (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana).

In 2017, van Vleuten became world champion when the championship was held in Bergen.

This may be his last season as a professional rider, although he is under contract until the 2023 season. Then he will finally finish at the age of 40 and cycle his final season in a rainbow jersey.

– And that’s why I was so disappointed after I broke my elbow in the team competition. I will enjoy this for years to come.

Behind

Three out of five Norwegians make it to the finish line. Mari Hole Mohr is the best Norwegian player with a rank of 39. He finished 4.57 minutes behind the winner at the finish line. Anne Dorte Ysland finished fifth and 9.32 minutes behind the winner. Ingvild Gåskjenn was number 67 and had 12.47 minutes.

Kathrine Aalerud and Marte Berg Edseth stopped along the way.

Cycling on the WC road in Wollongong, Australia, start together:

Princess Elite (164.3 km):

1) Annemiek van Vleuten, Netherlands 24.24.25, 2) Lotte Kopecky, Belgium 0.01 min. back, 3) Silvia Persico, Italy same time, 4) Liane Lippert, Germany st, 5) Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Denmark st, 6) Arlenis Sierra, Cuban st, 7) Juliette Labous, France st, 8) Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Poland st, 9) Elise Chabbey, Switzerland st, 10) Rlisa Borghini Longo, Italy st

Norway: 39) Mari Hole Mohr 4.57, 55) Anne Dorthe Ysland 9.32, 67) Ingvild Gåskjenn 12.42.

Incomplete: Katrine Aalerud, Marte Berg Edseth.

Junior girls (67.2):

1) Zoe Bäckstedt, United Kingdom 1.47.05, 2) Eglantine Rayer, France 2.07, 3) Nienke Vinke, Netherlands same time, 4) Francesca Pellegrini, Italy 2.19, 5) Maho Kakita, Japan 2.21, 6) Malwina Mul, Poland st

No Norwegians participated.