Victoria Chlaonova is the new U23 world champion. The Slovakian outsprinted Isabella Holmgren in a head-to-head battle for the rainbow jersey, while Belgian Fleur Moors sprinted for bronze.
After an attritional 10 laps of the 134km challenging Montreal circuit, the race came down to a two-up sprint with Chalanova, last year’s runner-up, reaching for the line first. Home favourite Isabella urged twin-sister Ava on late laps, ‘I told her it had to be a bit harder, so she did a really, really strong climb.’
With three laps to go, Team Canada had three riders in the front group; Isabella Holmgren Ava Holmgren and Sidney Swierenga. Chladonova reacted with Isabella Holmgren when Fleur Moors accelerated with 31k remaining. And, it came down to the pair who wanted the rainbows, Chladonova who was second last year in Kigali and Holmgren who was sixth last year.
The plan for a solo charge to a gold medal in the women’s U23 road race turned into a silver for home favourite Isabella Holmgren, and she captures Canada’s first-ever women’s U23 medal at road cycling worlds.
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