September 27/14 14:54 pm - Elite Women & Junior Men Worlds Road Race Report

Posted by Editoress on 09/27/14
 

The penultimate day of the Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, saw Germany take the Junior Men's Road title and France take the Elite Women's Road title.  The women's race was marred by a massive crash in the second lap, when approximately 30 riders went down on the final descent of the lap.  All four of the Canadian riders were caught in the accident and none finished - we have posted a report on their condition Here.

Junior Men

The Junior men's race was aggressive, with multiple attacks steadily whittling down the field.  In the end, it came down to a field sprint of nearly 40 riders, with Germany's Jonas Bokeloh winning the title ahead of Alexandr Kulikovskiy (Russia) and Peter Lenderink (Netherlands).

Canada had four riders in the race, with Jean-Simon D'Anjou finishing 82nd and Derek Gee 96th.  Pier-Andre Cote and Ed Walsh did not finish.

Note:  We have video interviews with both Canadian finishers Here

Elite Women
The women's race started as a race of attrition, until the crash near the end of the second lap.  Defending champion Marianne Vos (Netherlands) was also caught in the crash but was able to rejoin the peloton, as were numerous others.  However, ten riders had to be sent to hospital.

After the peloton settled down, a series of attacks were launched, but nothing would stick, since the Dutch and Italians were watching closely.  Favourites including Vos, Emma Johansson (Sweden), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Lizzie Armitstead (Great Britain) got away in the closing kilometres, but slowed as they watched each other, allowing others such as time trial champion Lisa Brennauer (Germany) and Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France) to get back on when Germany chased.

Out of the final corner, Vos launched a long sprint, but Ferrand Prevot, who is also a mountain bike pro, came by her in the final 200 metres.  Ferrand Prevot held off a late charge by Brennauer to take the title.  Johansson took third.

Results

Junior Men

Elite Women

Related Photo Galleries

Road World Championships September 21/14 - September 28/14, Ponferrada, Spain