Demi Vollering continued her remarkable season with a thrilling victory to win the women’s road race world title in Montreal.
The Dutchwoman held off a late challenge from Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney to add another title to her collection, following wins at the Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia Women and World Championships.
The 29-year-old also won a string of one-day classics in the spring, including the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
“I can still not believe it. I worked so hard towards this goal, and it takes guts to truly believe in it with your whole heart,” she said.
Italian Elisa Longo Borghini edged out world time-trial champion Marlen Reusser to take bronze.
Great Britain’s Flora Perkins was among 15 riders to crash while speeding downhill early in the race.
Defending champion Magdeleine Vallieres, Mauritius’ Kimberley Le Court and Spain’s Paula Blasi were also involved and eventually had to withdraw.
Vollering launched her initial attack with about 40km to go only to be reeled in by the chasing pack over the final two laps.
Poland’s Niewiadoma-Phinney stayed on her wheel in the closing stages but was beaten to the line, with Vollering claiming victory in four hours 45 minutes nine seconds.
“There were so many moments I thought I went too early,” Vollering said. “I didn’t dare to turn around and look back because I felt like they were almost on my wheel already.
“I just dared, tried again and never gave up to the finish line.”
