With a margin of 12.73 seconds down to home jump Grace Brown, the Dutch Ellen van Dijk thus managed to defend her WC gold in the women's time trial.
Somewhat surprising, according to herself.
- I never expected to win.
I didn't think it was a perfect course for me, but I was in good physical and mental shape.
So I thought I'd just do everything I could today.
If I managed to reach the podium, it would have been nice, but if not, I would still have had a good year.
I never thought I would win today, she says, according to the website Cycling News.
Won in Flanders 2021
In total, it was 35-year-old van Dijk's third World Cup gold on pace.
In addition to last year's victory in Belgian Flanders, she also won gold in Italian Tuscany in 2013.
With the victory, Ellen van Dijk is now alone in the position as the second most successful woman in the cycling World Cup time trial.
Only Jeannie Longo has won more golds: Four.
The bronze in the night time trial was won by the Swiss Marlen Reusser.