Cycling: Anna Kiesenhofer created a sensation in Tokyo. The Austrian surprisingly won the gold medal in the women's road race. Silver goes to Annemiek van Vleuten from the Netherlands ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini from Italy.
Anna Kiesenhofer sensationally wins gold
Austrian sensation in Tokyo! Anna kiesenhofer won the 137-kilometer Olympic women's road race. Without a single teammate at her side, the 30-year-old sought her hopeless salvation on the offensive by going straight from the start into the breakaway group of the day. The five fugitives were able to gain a lead of more than eleven minutes before the strong Dutch women in the peloton intensified the pursuit. But it was too late for that. At the Kagosaka Pass, 41 kilometers from the finish line, Anna Kiesenhofer left all her companions and couldn't be caught. Behind remained the top favourite Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands) only the silver medal. Bronze goes on Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy).
Currently without a WorldTour contract
A true sensation is not just because Anna kiesenhofer went into the race completely alone. The race itself - celebrating victory as a soloist after such a long escape - is almost unique in professional cycling at such an important bike race. In addition, the Austrian is currently not under contract with a WorldTour team. But she can certainly hope for the coming season in this respect. So while the Austrians can be happy about gold, the Germans are probably not completely satisfied with the outcome of the race. After missing the leap into the ultimately decisive group, occupied Lisa Brennauer with sixth place but still an absolutely respectable place. Liana Lippert finished the race in 23rd place.
Incrível! O que acaba de fazer Anna Kiesenhofer. Ouro para a Austria no ciclismo feminino pic.twitter.com/9Vg6caFaW4
— Eurosport Portugal (@EurosportTV_Por) July 25, 2021