Marianne Vos wins her first race since comeback from injury

Three-time world champion Marianne Vos marked her comeback from injury with a win at the Pajot Hills Classic on Wednesday

Marianne Vos at the 2013 Road World Championships (Sunada)
(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Marianne Vos took her first victory since September 2014 on Wednesday, triumphing in the Pajot Hills Classic in Belgium in just her second race of the season.

The prolific Dutch rider took the majority of the 2015 season off after suffering multiple injuries and fatigue and made her comeback at the Drentse Acht van Westerveld on March 13.

To win the Pajot Hills Classic she had to overcome some strong opponents, including Rabo-Liv teammate and former world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) and Jolien d'Hoore (Wiggle-High5).

Britain's Dani King finished 12th, ahead of Ellen Van Dijk and Elisa Longo Borghini.

Dani King shows us her scars

"I'm very happy with this victory after a difficult period, this at least shows that I'm back on the right track," Vos said after the race.

The sprint was initially meant to see Ferrand-Prevot as the protected rider for Rabo-Liv, but Vos explained that she saw a gap with 220m to go and the French national champion could not keep her wheel.

Easing herself back into the season, Vos is not included in the RaboLiv team for the Women's Tour of Flanders, which she won in 2013. Ferrand-Prevot and Anna van der Breggen highlight the six-strong team for the Classic.

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