Leader Annemiek van Vleuten of Netherlands was involved in a spectacular crash in the final stages of the women’s cycling road race by Copacabana beach on Sunday.
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The Post-Star was not able to talk to her after the race, but leading up to the Olympics, Guarnier said the course was one of the hardest she had seen in her 10-year career.
Initial reports suggested that she was conscious and responsive in hospital, but it has now been reported that the Dutchwoman has concussion and three cracks in her spine. “I thought she was dead”, said Van Vleuten’s compatriot Anna van der Breggen, who later won the women’s race for Holland. Despite the fact that she wasn’t moving for several moments after her crash, she was conscious and being examined at a hospital, according to officials.
While Van der Breggan won gold, Emma Johansson of Sweden won silver with Elisa Longo Borghini coming away with the bronze medal.
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A stricken Van Vleuten was immediately overtaken by American Mara Abbott but Anna van der Breggen evetually took gold after a thrilling sprint finish, while British hope Lizzie Armitstead finished fifth.
With the race continuing despite the crash, viewers were left concerned for Annemiek when no pictures of her or news of her condition emerged. “I thought she was dead”. I saw her and she was on the edge (of the road).
She had been joined in the move by Van der Breggen, Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini and the United States’ Mara Abbott, with their effort proving the key move on a day full of risky attacks.
Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten was in the lead before the crash.
The crash happened on the Vista Chinesa, the same descent where the leaders of the men’s race were wiped out on Saturday. It took me a while to realise that, OK we have to get our heads back on the race and start the chase.
She was 5min behind van der Breggen, who will be Villumsen’s main rival in her top event the time trial on Thursday (NZT). “The peloton is so small and we all know each other very well”.
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Armitstead had a controversial lead-up to the Olympics, where she had to appeal after being banned for missing three doping tests.
