Marianne Vos swept to a second successive world road race crown on Saturday, finishing 15 seconds clear of the field in Florence.
The win marks the dutchwoman's third world road race title, following five consecutive silver medals between 2007 and 2011. As the 140km course concluded amid the picturesque renaissance setting of the Tuscan capital, Vos escaped the challenges of Sweden's Emma Johansson and home favourite Rosella Ratto on the final climb up Via Salviati.
Britain's Lizzie Armitstead finished over 5 minutes back to take 19th place.
"I just blew up," said Armitstead after the race, in which she lacked the support of a full team as Emma Pooley stayed away.
Pooley is focusing on completing her PhD, but, while her climbing prowess would have suited the course, her presence alongside Armitstead would not have changed the result. Today, as so often before, Vos was not to be denied.
0 Comments