The women’s road race at the UCI World Championships saw a fast-paced and eventful start with key events including a three-woman breakaway early in the race. The challenging weather conditions did not deter spectators from cheering on the riders in Zurich as the peloton stayed intact with various big hitters like Lotte Kopecky positioned near the front. New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black launched an attack followed by six other riders as the race approached an early feed zone.
Defending champion Lotte Kopecky made a move on a steep climb while the lead trio of Caroline Baur, Sara Martin, and Nina Berton opened up a gap towards the front. The peloton faced challenging climbs, descents, and rainy conditions as they navigated the course. Tragedy struck the championships with the death of 18-year-old Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer, but the race continued honoring her memory.
Favorites for the race include Kopecky and Demi Vollering, who are usually competitive teammates and have had successful seasons. The race features a wide-open field with contenders like Olympic gold medalist Kristen Faulkner, Giro D’Italia Women winner Elisa Longo Borghini, and three-time champion Marianne Vos. The race covered a 154km course with challenging climbs and adverse weather conditions. The event is part of a week-long series of road and para-road events where Team GB has already secured multiple medals.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
