What made the 39-year-old’s gold all of the extra exceptional was that she competed within the 164.3km race with a fractured elbow after crashing in the course of the combined relay on Wednesday.
Van Vleuten, the Olympic time trial champion, was favourite earlier than her damage as she had already gained the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia Donne and Ceratzit Problem by La Vuelta this season.
She had not featured for a lot of the race, which completed in Wollongong, however driving by means of the ache she got here from behind and burst into the lead within the last 500m to say the rainbow jersey for the second time in her illustrious profession. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky took silver, whereas Italy’s Silvia Persico gained bronze.
“I knew that I could not dash due to my elbow so I knew that I needed to assault from behind, that was the one, solely, solely probability that I had,” the Movistar rider instructed reporters.
“I used to be ready and ready and ready for the sprinters to return however they could not catch me.
“It was hell. I could not exit of the saddle due to my elbow and my legs had been exploding on the climbs. Usually, I actually prefer to exit of the saddle and assault.
“I had such a special plan earlier than I broke my elbow and now I win it within the final kilometre and I am world champion.”
