Annemiek van Vleuten fractures elbow after heavy crash at World Championships
There are question marks over the former world champion's participation in Saturday's road race
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Annemiek van Vleuten fractured her elbow in her heavy crash during the mixed relay team time trial at the World Championships in Wollongong.
The 39-year-old fell off her bike seconds after setting off from the start ramp for her leg of the TTT, seemingly losing control, veering to the left and sliding out.
She visited a local hospital in New South Wales, Australia for checks after the incident, which later revealed a fracture in her right elbow, the Dutch cycling federation confirmed to Cyclingnews later on Wednesday (opens in new tab).
It has raised fears that Van Vleuten might not be able to take part, or be at her best, in the elite road race on Saturday, which she was an overwhelming favourite for.
“Annemiek is allowed to cycle with this stable fracture, but the question is of course with how much pain that will be,” national coach Loes Gunnewijk said. “We will see that in the coming days. We hope that Annemiek can still start, but that has to be justified.”
Van Vleuten's crash left the Dutch with two riders, Riejanne Markus and Ellen van Dijk, to complete the female leg of the relay, which saw them finish in fifth. Switzerland won the race.
The Dutchwoman, who has twice won the ITT rainbow bands and once the World Championships road race, posted on social media that she was "worried" about her right arm after the crash. She was able to walk to an ambulance after the incident, but was not OK, clearly.
"On my way to the hospital for x rays of my right side," she wrote on Twitter. "All bruised and especially worried about my right elbow/arm. My front tire exploded and I crashed."
She followed that up by saying that the tyre exploded after she hit the side of the road, so this did not cause the crash.
"Don't know what happened but looks the tire exploded after I did hit the side of the road," Van Vleuten tweeted. "So that was not the problem. Something caused I got out of balance, but what ever caused it: it will not help or change my situation. Now in the hospital."
“I'm just in pain and it doesn't feel right. I haven't recovered from it anyway. I can't believe what happened,” she told Dutch broadcaster Nos.
Van Vleuten was due to lead a strong Netherlands squad in Saturday's elite road race, which contains Demi Vollering and Marianne Vos as well.
The Dutchwoman has had a record-breaking season, winning the Giro d'Italia Donne, the Tour de France Femmes, and the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta, an unprecedented triple. However, it could end quietly if the fracture affects her ability to ride.
The Netherlands' attempt at the mixed relay TTT had already been affected by a mechanical for the men, as Bauke Mollema's chain dropped off during the male trio's attempt. With Van Vleuten also suffering misfortune, the Dutch squad could only manage fifth.
Don't know what happened but looks the tire exploded after I did hit the side of the road. So that was not the problem. Something caused I got out of balance, but what ever caused it: it will not help or change my situation. Now in the hospital. 🤞🤞 https://t.co/ApGAY4YITtSeptember 21, 2022
Thank you for reading 10 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
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s senior news and feature writer – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing, speaking to people as varied as Demi Vollering to Philippe Gilbert. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Ethan Vernon sprints to victory in final leg of the Challenge Mallorca
Brit sees off challenge from Biniam Girmay
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
The seven cyclo-cross races where Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel will meet this season
The duo will continue their long-standing rivalry this winter
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tom Boonen: 'Remco Evenepoel should get away from Belgium as much as possible'
The former Quick-Step rider said he didn't enjoy the fame of being world champion
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Annemiek van Vleuten ready for time trial and Tourmalet on 2023 Tour de France Femmes route
"I’m happy that there is no gravel" says defending champion
By Adam Becket • Published
-
How to watch the 2022 UCI Gravel World Championships: Live stream the events in Italy
Here's how to catch all of the action over the weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten admits to 'doubts' over planned 2023 retirement
World champion says she still has drive to improve after almost perfect year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘I’m getting older by the day’: Mathieu van der Poel fears age is not on his side in fight for rainbow jersey
Dutch rider is one of the favourites to become road World Champion in Wollongong on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis • Published