Annemiek van Vleuten back on the bike but in pain from elbow fracture: "I can't stand upright on the pedals"

Annemiek van Vleuten is in a race against time to take part in the World Championships road race set to take place in under 48 hours, as she looks to make the best out of a situation where she wasn't expecting to be in, having to nurture an elbow fracture.

In a statement shared on social media, Van Vleuten said that "my conclusion after a morning ride: I have my bike under control. However, safety comes first. I did sleep well. I'm going to try again tomorrow." The veteran crashed at the start of the mixed relay TTT when her front tire exploded.

She was diagnosed with a stable but small fracture on her right elbow, which hasn't ruled her out of the road race, but is giving her a serious headache. In conversation with Het Nieuwsblad after a training ride in the circuit - which featured closed roads today - she confirmed the elbow does cause her issues on the bike however: “It's not ideal, but it's okay. It could have been worse.

"I cycled for two hours this morning. That actually went without pain, only I can't stand upright on the pedals. That hurts again. That is annoying, because on this course you will occasionally have to stand on those pedals. So we have to wait and see." She should, alongside the Dutch team, be amongst the big favourites to take the gold medal this Saturday.