A week ago, the outcome of Annemiek van Vleuten winning the World Championships would not have raised any eyebrows. Following a summer in which she has conquered all before her, winning all three of The Giro Donne, Tour de France Femmes and Vuelta a España, who would have seriously bet against her adding the rainbow jersey to her season’s collection of prizes? The parcours seemed to prove enough difficulty for her to distance the fast finishers, and nobody has been able to match her when she’s gone on the attack.
But everything that has happened to the Dutchwoman since arriving in Wollongong for the Worlds has totally re-contextualised her victory, from the predictable result from the overwhelming race favourite, to an astonishing comeback against the odds of a true champion with her back against the wall. First in Saturday’s time trial, questions regarding her form surfaced when she was only able to place seventh, in a race she had never before finished lower than fifth at. And then her very participation in the road race was thrown into jeopardy when she fractured her elbow in a nasty crash during the Mixed Relay on Wednesday.
She made it to the start-line, but it was painfully clear that her elbow was causing her great discomfort. She was visibly uncomfortable on the saddle, and her struggles were confirmed when she missed the five-woman selection that escaped on one of the ascents of Mount Pleasant. Neither did she grow into the race, and was once again dropped when the same five riders went clear again the final time up Mount Pleasant.
And yet, with one all-or-nothing attack inside the final kilometre, she somehow managed to slip clear with no-one grabbing onto her wheel, and held on by one second to take victory. The shock on her face after crossing the line said it all.
Rather than brute force, which most of her victories have been built on, this was a triumph of timing, fortitude, and a sheer will to win from Van Vleuten. She had nothing like the legs she’s enjoyed throughout this prolific season, and wasn’t even among the strongest five riders in the race, yet still managed to find a way to win. It was somewhat reminiscent of the Tour de France Femmes, which she managed to win despite suffering badly from illness during the first few days. Now, as then, none of her rivals were able to exploit her weakness, and her aura seemed to spook them even when she was so much on the back foot. It’s becoming clear that her…