Marianne Vos clocked up one of the most important wins in her career yesterday, finally winning the women’s Ronde van Vlaanderen after many years of going close.
Vos was second three years ago and also clocked up third places in 2011 and 2007, but things went perfectly for her yesterday. After lone attacker Susanna Zorzi (Faren – Let’sGo Finland) was reeled in, Vos (Rabobank women) got clear with Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products), with the world champion driving the pace up the Oude Kwaremont climb.
The trio was soon joined by Ellen van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon), and together the group opened up a lead of almost three minutes.
Conscious of Vos’ finishing speed, the other riders did their utmost to get clear but none of the moves would prove to be successful. Vos was indeed quickest in the final gallop, beating van Dijk, Johansson and Longo Borghini to the line in Oudenaarde.
“I’ve been pretty close to the win several times,” Vos smiled afterwards, savouring the success. “Last year was a great year with of course the Olympic gold and the world championships, but now to win also Flanders is amazing.”
Van Dijk was previously second in the World Cup race of the Ronde van Drenthe and third in the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Her runner-up slot yesterday sees her sit second overall in the World Cup classification. She said afterwards that the others in the break did what they could to shake off the world and Olympic champion, but to no avail.
“We tried to attack Marianne because obviously she is the fastest in the sprint. The three of us tried to attack in the last ten K but it is hard to make a gap after such a long and exhausting race,” she explained. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out.”
See below for UCI video highlights from the race…
Ronde van Vlaanderen (women), Oudenaarde:
1, Marianne Vos (Rabobank) 127 kilometres in 3 hours 33 mins 21 secs
2, Ellen Van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon)
3, Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS)
4, Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products UCK) all same time
5, Annemiek Van Vleuten (Rabobank) at 2 mins 37 secs
6, Adrie Visser (Boels Dolmans)
7, Anna Van der Breggen (Rabobank)
8, Loes Gunnewijk (Orica AIS) both same time
9, Elizabeth Armitstead (Boels Dolmans) at 2 mins 39 secs
10, Kirsten Wild (Argos Shimano) at 4 mins 33 secs