Regina Schleicher (Germany) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Germany again: Schleicher wins
Regina Schleicher topped off a great team performance to ensure Germany retained the world championship road race title they won last year with Judith Arndt. Although Arndt came into the race under par due to a virus, her team-mate was fully up to the task of taking the rainbow jersey, unleashing a strong sprint to hit the line in front of the rest of the bunch.
Great Britain's Nicole Cooke showed her full recovery from an at-times difficult season in taking silver, while Australia's Oenone Wood scooped bronze.
The 126 kilometre women's race was characterised by numerous attacks, but despite efforts by riders such as home favourite Joanne Somarriba (Spain) and Olivia Gollan (Australia) to get clear, the peloton stayed largely together until the end. Here the German team worked perfectly to deliver their sprinter to the final 200 metres in a good position, after which she had little trouble in sprinting home in front.
Defending champion Arndt came into the race below par due to a virus and finished off the back of the peloton, but she was happy at the finish.
"I am delighted for the team, they did a really great job today in keeping it together and setting Regina up. I am very pleased with the result."
