“I was thinking it’s not possible, but if it is possible it’s epic,” said Annemiek van Vleuten of her 100km solo attack to take the World Championship road race title. She wasn’t the only one. No team CW spoke to thought the Dutchwoman could stay away that long — it happens so rarely.
It was a ride that bore comparison to Chris Froome’s attack on the Finestre from 80km out to win the Giro in 2018, Claudio Chiappucci’s over 100km attack in the mountains of the Tour de France in 1992, Eddy Merckx in the Alps at the Tour in 1969 and Fausto Coppi’s solo break in the Giro d’Italia in 1949. On Saturday van Vleuten rode herself into the history books as she turned ‘not possible’ into ‘epic’.
“All day I thought it was super-stupid, what I was doing,” she added. “I thought my national coach would say, ‘This is stupid, stop and wait for that group,’ but she said, ‘No, it’s super-good for us, continue.’”
As impressive a solo effort as it was, it was the Dutch strength in depth and coach Loes Gunnewijk’s astute tactical decisions that made the difference. Van Vleuten had been tasked with attacking the Lofthouse climb, safe in the knowledge that the team would have the fast Marianne Vos in the peloton for a sprint in the case of a late catch, and the punchy Anna van der Breggen available for a medium-range attack should the break get brought back earlier.
This story is from the October 3, 2019 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 3, 2019 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain
