Emma Johansson rides Tour of Flanders three weeks after breaking collarbone

Swedish Champion Emma Johansson's amazing three-week recovery after collarbone surgery sees her taking on the cobbles of Flanders

(Image credit: Andy Jones)

There was one top rider at the women’s Tour of Flanders yesterday who was just happy to start, despite eventually finishing way below her potential. Swedish Champion Emma Johansson finished the race in 13th place, 3-30 behind winner Elisa Longo-Borghini (Wiggle-Honda), though only three weeks after breaking her collarbone.

One of the most consistent riders in the women’s peloton, Johansson crashed at the Novilon Eurocup in the Netherlands on March 15, putting her Flanders participation in danger. However, the nature of the break and a successful operation meant she took the start in Oudenaarde yesterday morning. Indeed the former number-one-ranked rider was the first of her Orica-AIS team to finish.

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Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.