The 2012 Olympic Road Race was epic.
In contrast to the Men’s race in 2012, the Women’s event was epic; torrential rains, an elite breakaway, a nail-biting sprint finish, and a finish line interview with Lizzie Armitstead that changed the face of Women’s road racing for ever.
Marianne Vos crushed fools that day, with four of those fools coming along on the erand. Through epic Rule #9 conditions, the break held off the chasing bunch, leaving it to a two-up sprint between her and Armistead. Fast forward four years, and Lizzie is at the top of the sport with Vos coming back from injury. But the course suits them both, and Vos has starting winning a bit again. It could be a repeat, or an underdog goes clear. Either way, the racing is sure to be phenomenal. Buckle your seatbelts, people.
Check the start list, maybe check the 10 Riders to Watch list, and get your picks in by the time the clock goes to zero, and good luck.
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@Pali65
It looked very serious to me. Hope I'm wrong but I'd guess there might be neck problems. Fingers crossed she's OK.
Not a great race but a great finish. Gutted for Abbott - at least Majka got a consolation medal.
And Van Vleuten's crash looked truly awful. I hope nothing really serious or long term.
@Steve Trice
According to Dutch TV Van Vleuten is ok.
Fuck me! These girls can ride.
Was standing on the couch screaming for Emma last 2k's. Sadly she missed the start of the sprint. Looked the strongest of the bunch. Anyway.
Brilliant effort of a girl I can proudly say I have shared a ride with (well, some 5k and then she dropped me like a tub of blub in the first climb...)
Good to hear Van Vleuten seems ok
That was a terrible crash to see. And right after the moto caught up with her? Oh man that was scary. And reading report of a severe concussion and three fractures to spine is an awfully rough "okay"! Let's hope the best for her recovery. To think of the crashes and the injuries occurred on that descent over two days? That's something else.
@Randy C
Dutch TV confirmed she was "alive but in shock." If they need to confirm that a rider is alive after a crash it was bad. A concussion and minor spinal fractures seems about as good as could be expected after seeing that crash.
I heard Armitstead missed another test - she told them to find her on the podium after the race but when they came to test her she wasn't there.
@dyalander
I see what you did there, and I like it.
@Pali65
I'm no expert but I would say so. So many skilled riders, including renowned descenders, hitting the deck. It doesn't seem right to me that a race should be so dominated by such a specific ability while exposing so many to such danger.
@Bespoke
Except in both cases less noted descenders were OK. It punished those who pushed the boundaries not those who stayed within them.
And ironically had Nibali/Henaio and Van Vleuten eased back a bit on the descent they would all be wearing medals now.
Majka and Abbott nearly stayed away on their own and surely a group of three or two would have made it to the line without being caught.