Anna van der Breggen cannot be lucky with the world title on the road she conquered on Saturday. De Zwolse, who was also the strongest in the time trial last Thursday, crowned an impressive solo with the victory in Imola.
“I am very happy. This is really great. I really never expected this”, said a beaming Van der Breggen, who took her second world title on the road after Innsbruck 2018, in a first reaction on the Formula 1 circuit.
Van der Breggen jumped 41 kilometers from the finish during the fourth climb of the Cima Gallisterna and crossed the line alone with a large lead. Annemiek van Vleuten, who broke her pulse in the Giro Rosa last week, completed the Dutch party by sprinting to win second place from the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini.
“I felt strong and just went for it. But it was still a long way. However, it helps if you are in shape. I am now quite tired, but of course it is all worth it,” said Van der Breggen.
“ Drive a pretty good season for the time being ”
Thirty-year-old Van der Breggen is only the second rider to succeed in grabbing gold at one World Championship in both the road race and the time trial. Only the French Jeannie Longo managed to achieve that earlier in 1995.
“I’m still riding a pretty good season. Hopefully the recovery will go smoothly and I will be able to show more beautiful things later this year. This of course makes me want more”, concluded Van der Breggen.
Van der Breggen, who will stop cycling after next season, took care of the fourth Dutch world title on the road in a row, after Chantal Blaak (2017), herself (2018) and Van Vleuten (2019) have triumphed over the past three years.
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