Vollering wins women’s road race world title in Montreal

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DEMI Vollering continued her outstanding season by winning the women’s road race world title in Montreal.

The Dutch rider held off Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney in a thrilling finish to add the world title to victories at the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d’Italia Women.

Vollering, 29, has also won several major one-day races this season, including the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

“I can still not believe it. I worked so hard towards this goal, and it takes guts to truly believe in it with your whole heart,” she said.

Vollering launched an attack with about 40km remaining but was caught by the chasing group over the final two laps.

Niewiadoma-Phinney stayed close to Vollering during the closing stages, but the Dutch rider held on to win in four hours, 45 minutes and nine seconds.

“There were so many moments I thought I went too early,” Vollering said.

“I didn’t dare to turn around and look back because I felt like they were almost on my wheel already. I just dared, tried again and never gave up to the finish line.”

Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini took bronze after edging out world time-trial champion Marlen Reusser.

Great Britain’s Flora Perkins was among 15 riders who crashed while descending at speed early in the race.

Defending champion Magdeleine Vallieres, Mauritius’ Kimberley Le Court and Spain’s Paula Blasi were also involved in the crash and later withdrew. (BBC)

M.P

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