Cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten has won the world road race title in Wollongong in Australia, despite having fractured an elbow three days previously.

Van Vleuten, who is 39 and retiring at the end of the 2023 season, surprised the pack by launching a solo effort with some 600 metres to go, in what commentators say is the greatest win of her career.

Earlier this summer the 2019 world champion and reigning Olympic world time trial winner won the Italian, French and Spanish tours.

‘Maybe this is my best victory,’ she said afterwards. ‘I am still speechless, I still can’t believe it, she said after the race. ‘I was waiting for them to get back at me, but they did not move.’