Similar to how many Americans would have breathed a sigh of relief at the start of the year when the White House passed from one owner to the other, the Netherlands' four-year reign of tyranny in the women's Worlds road race is finally over thanks to Elisa Balsamo.
"Until [the finish line] the situation was good," Vos said after the finish, looking stoic in defeat with her chin held high. "I knew it was going to be a hard final but we wanted to make the race hard.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
British Paralympian found alive and safe after missing person reportSam Ruddock hadn't been heard from in 11 days, but has now been located
-
Tadej Pogačar was dominant at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I hope for a competitive Tour de FranceThe Slovenian has finished on the podium of the last six Monuments, the first man to do so - when will he stop dominating?
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships rideThe 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships rideWelcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World ChampionshipsThe win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jerseySlovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road raceDemi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory againBelgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
-
'In a sprint with Kopecky, that’s probably the best I can do' - Chloé Dygert content with silver in World Championships road raceThe American took the best result for her country since 1991 in the road race, capping off great year for USA women's cycling
