In adverse conditions outsider Mads Pedersen has won the individual race at the Wheel World Championships in Harrogate after more than six hours of driving time. The Dane is the successor of the Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, who this time like many others did not reach the finish. The 23-year-old Pedersen only beat the Italian Matteo Trentin and Stefan Küng from Switzerland in the final meters.
In the final act, an early breakaway group led by Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic was sent off prematurely. From about 100 kilometers from the finish, the race was a knockout. Not only Roglic and Valverde, but also the fallen Belgian co-favorite Philippe Gilbert and youngster Remco Evenepoel got out prematurely.
NIGEL RODDIS / EPA-EFE / REX
The Dane Mats Pedersen duped the favorites
It was also a day to forget for the German drivers: Pascal Ackermann gave up 28 kilometers from the finish, John Degenkolb missed the crucial group.
Once again, the bad weather on Sunday played a big role. Continuous rain at night led to a shortened line from 285 to 261 kilometers. Nevertheless, parts of the course were still under water. The drivers fought their way through deep puddles, the TV picture was completely canceled during continuous rain, wind and about ten degrees.
Yorick Jansens / DPA
World Champion Annemiek van Vleuten from the Netherlands
The women had encountered significantly better weather the day before. Annemiek van Vleuten made a memorable appearance. After a 105-kilometer solo ride, the Dutch rider took the title with more than two minutes advantage. For the 36-year-old, it was the first victory in a big race in the national jersey, after she had crashed hard in the lead at the Olympic Games in Rio.