The long parcours made for a brutal women’s race. It really did come down to one imperious display, two 40 kilometre rides of distinction and a rainbow podium of three fantastic solo efforts.
Elite Women RR
Anna van Der Breggan put any lingering disappointment from her silver medal performance at the TT with an utterly dominant display to take her first road race rainbow jersey. The Dutch rider bridged to the break after countering teammate Annemiek van Vleuten‘s attack. Then proceeded to power away solo for 40km – yes, you read that right – to add a worlds gold to her Olympic one.
Behind her Australia’s Amanda Spratt, who tried to go with van der Breggan at first, suffered on the brutal last climb but rode her own pace to take an emotional and well deserved silver.
With those two riders out front and looking safe for first and second, the battle for bronze was between six riders. Tatiana Guderzo grabbed her chance on the climb and rode away to add a bronze to the gold and silver already held by the veteran Italian.
All hail the mighty Anna van der Breggan…
That winning margin
Amanda Spratt was confident at the start and it was not unfounded…
Yes she will…
Magnificent silver …
Completing the set…
Embed from Getty ImagesI just love this quote from her post race interview
This bronze medal is as special and shimmers just as bright my Mendrisio gold medal. I didn’t expect this. I hoped and believed that the Italian team could ride well a get a medal but I honestly didn’t think I’d be the one to do it.
This is why the World Championships are so special and unlike anything else.
Innsbruck Vibes
Header Image: Tim de Waele/Getty Images
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