Road World Championships: Annemiek van Vleuten claims win despite fractured elbow

Annemiek van Vleuten won the women's road race despite fracturing her elbow.

The Dutch woman injured her elbow in the mixed relay.

She was buried in the peloton for most of Saturday's race, but she attacked in the final 500m to beat Kopecky by one second.

Van Vleuten said it was hell.

This was the best win of my career so far. There can be miracles.

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The Movistar rider won the Tour de France, Giro and Vuelta in the same year.

She said after her crash that she would need to be sensible about her participation in the road race.

Van Vleuten explained that she was waiting for the right time to attack after her victory.

They didn't catch me because I was waiting and waiting for them to come with a sprint over the top of me.