Annemiek van Vleuten battles past wrist fracture to compete in World Championships
ByEurosport
Updated 26/09/2020 at 09:21 GMT
Annemiek van Vleuten will defend her UCI Road World Championships title in Imola on Saturday, days after she broke her left wrist in a crash riding for Mitchelton-Scott at the Giro Rosa. The Dutchwoman had initially been ruled out after a pile-up during the seventh stage of the Giro Rosa on September 17.
Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten will compete at the women’s road race in Imola just days after a crash riding for Mitchelton-Scott at the Giro Rosa where she broke her wrist.
However Van Vleuten has been cleared by the Dutch cycling federation to race after surgery, during which a metal plate was inserted into her wrist.
Van Vleuten paid tribute to her team doctor, announcing on Twitter: “I can race tomorrow! #cantbelieveit.”
Speaking to Cyclingnews.com, the 37 year old explained: "My wrist feels quite good and I can't complain because, for me, it's a miracle how it feels.
I don't have pain on the bike and I can grab my handlebars, 100%. I don't have any problems with bike handling and that's something that was important in my decision.
She added that she was not in danger of causing further damage to her wrist should she crash again.
Van Vleuten's Mitchelton-Scott team-mate Amanda Spratt was ruled out of the world championships after failing to recover from injuries sustained in the same crash at the Giro Rosa.
Australian Amanda Sprat damaged her shoulder and suffered concussion in the same crash, and remains out of the competition.
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