Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vletuen had an unfortunate turn during the women’s road race at the Olympics on Sunday.
Van Vletuen was looking good with a little under 11 km left in the race as she was leading the field. But coming around a turn, she lost control and flipped her bike, resulting in a nasty crash.
Olympic champion Van der Breggen celebrations were muted as she awaited news over the condition of her teammate. "I started the chase after I saw Annemiek," the Dutchwomen said. "I think she crashed hard. I realised I was the first one of the team and I have to chase and I did tit for her. The the of us we knew we had to do it.
She had gone about 115 km with great success up until that point. Early reports say van Vletuen is on her way to the hospital and regained consciousness.
You're riding for the third place at that moment and when I saw her that changes everything. If you see her like that it is a big shock."
Anna van der Breggen, NETHERLANDS
Van Vletuen was looking good with a little under 11 km left in the race as she was leading the field. But coming around a turn, she lost control and flipped her bike, resulting in a nasty crash.
Olympic champion Van der Breggen celebrations were muted as she awaited news over the condition of her teammate. "I started the chase after I saw Annemiek," the Dutchwomen said. "I think she crashed hard. I realised I was the first one of the team and I have to chase and I did tit for her. The the of us we knew we had to do it.
She had gone about 115 km with great success up until that point. Early reports say van Vletuen is on her way to the hospital and regained consciousness.
You're riding for the third place at that moment and when I saw her that changes everything. If you see her like that it is a big shock."
I FOCUSED AND GOT IN THE RACE. THIS IS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF HARD WORK, RIDING AND TRAINING.
Responding to her win, the 26-year-old Van der Breggen, who succeeds compatriot Marianne Vos as the Olympic champion, said: “I focused and got in the race. This is the result of years of hard work, riding and training."
“I am so happy with the gold,” she added. “All three of us realised we had to pull because the medals were in play. We saw that Mara was getting weaker and we gave it our all. It was everything for the win. “I am so happy to keep the gold medal within the Dutch cycling team. Marianne is a hero of mine and she worked so hard for me today. I'm so proud.”