Alejandro has his first world title
The 38-year-old won a thrilling finale of the elite men’s road race in Innsbruck after besting his rivals in a four-up sprint at the line. Valverde managed to conquer the 28% gradients of Hottinger Holl and withstand the attacks from Romain Bardet, Michael Woods and Tom Dumoulin. He then led out the final sprint and none of the aforementioned riders was able to match his power.
GRACIAS a todos por las felicitaciones y por los mensajes de ánimo en este Mundial 👏. Una carrera perfecta de todo el equipo 🇪🇸 para conseguir por fin un sueño 🌈. Contentísimo de vestir este maillot 😍 pic.twitter.com/R4W0PK4nGq
— alejandro valverde (@alejanvalverde) September 30, 2018
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 6:46:41
2. Romain Bardet (FRA)
3. Michael Woods (CAN)
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED)
5. Gianni Moscon (ITAL) + 13 seconds
6. Roman Kreuziger (CZE) + 43 seconds
7. Michael Valgren (DEN)
8. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
9. Thibaut Pinot (FRA)
10. Rui Costa (POR)
Van der Breggen soloes to victory
The Olympic champion broke away from the leading group with 39 km to go and rode hard to the finish line in Innsbruck all by herself. Amanda Spratt was the last one to be dropped by the Dutch pro and took a solo ride of her own to claim the silver medal. The bronze was won by Tatiana Guderzo. The 2009 world champ was in the original leading group and beat all her rivals.
Yesterday a dream became reality.. World Champion🌈
There are so many people who helped me with this.. Of course a big thank you goes to my orange teammates and all the people behind the scenes #knwu staff and my @boelsdolmansct. Thank you all!!❤#innsbrucktirol2018 #knwu #teamnl pic.twitter.com/HUFHxjfUYj— Anna van der Breggen (@AnnavdBreggen) September 30, 2018
1. Anna van der Breggen (NED) 4:11:04
2. Amanda Spratt (AUS) + 3:42
3. Tatiana Guderzo (ITA) + 5:26
4. Emilia Fahliin (SWE) + 6:13
5. Małgorzata Jasinska (POL)
6. Karol-Ann Canuel (CAN) + 6:17
7. Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) + 7:05
8. Amy Pieters (NED)
9. Lucinda Brand (NED) + 7:17
10. Ruth Winder (USA)
Classic Tanfield?
THIS IS ABSOLUTE CLASSIC TANFIELD 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Going to have to go #FullGas AND get #RealAeroLike 😂😂😂😂 #InnsbruckTirol2018 @CharlieTanfield pic.twitter.com/7FuFtYAbhL
— Dan Bigham (@DanBiggles22) September 24, 2018
The FAQ
Get asked the same 3 questions multiple times every day with my arm in cast, this should save me some time ….. 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/kYA75YS8hq
— Luke Rowe (@LukeRowe1990) September 25, 2018
What a guy!
The other day I was texting something about cookies or potatoes with @Tomashuuns. There was a 2-hr break where he didn’t respond and then we were chatting again. I realized eventually that he’d raced world TTT championships and not mentioned it. What a great, humble dude. 🥔
— Phil Gaimon (@philgaimon) September 26, 2018
