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Dreams of Olympic gold shattered for Marianne Vos, who won silver for the Netherlands: "It's like a game, but mostly it just gives you sore legs"
CyclingMonday, 05 August 2024 at 12:42
Silver. That was the result for Marianne Vos on Sunday in Paris. The Dutch cyclist had a strong chance for the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics... Until American Kristen Faulkner disrupted that dream with a perfectly timed attack.
Vos was the only Dutch woman present in a strong leading group of about ten riders, with only Lotte Kopecky managing to bridge the gap from the peloton. At one point, Vos broke away with Hungarian Blanka Kata Vas, but together they couldn't prevent Kopecky and Faulkner from catching up, and in Faulkner's case, breaking away.
"When they caught up and Faulkner went for it, I didn't have the legs to respond," Vos gave her honest first analysis to NOS. "You have to gamble a little, but I just didn't have the legs. Did I look at Kopecky? I think neither of us had much left at that moment. You look at each other, and after that moment, Faulkner is such a strong rider that you can't give her any space."
Vos: "I didn't have much left"
Ultimately, the 2012 Olympic champion got the silver medal. "In the last few hundred meters, it was clear that we were no longer racing for the win. You don't really have a choice at that point. You quickly realize the gap won't be closed, but you don't know how big the gap to the back is. There were still a car and a few motorcycles, so it seemed there was still some difference. Kopecky was the first out of the last corner, and then it was a matter of sprinting as fast as possible. It was close," explained Vos.
Vos wanted to convey to the audience back home that she couldn't have done better. "I was in a good situation with Vas ahead, but I didn't have much left. She really rode a good race. I felt the other two getting closer."
And now, what prevails? "Mixed feelings," said Vos. "It's a medal, but we were going for gold for the Netherlands, and that didn't happen. I did what I could. You look back on it later, but now I need to let this sink in. I'm completely exhausted, and when you finish like that, you've given everything."
"There are always moments you could have done differently, but if you're exhausted, that's it. We'll evaluate how the race went and what we did afterwards," continued the Dutch cyclist, who concluded with a one-liner. "In such a strong lead group, it's like a game, but mostly it just gives you sore legs."
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024