"I could really enjoy every minute" - Elise Chabbey on Worlds attacking streak which almost earned her a medal

Seventh at the finish line, Elise Chabbey was closer to success then the final result would indicate. The Swiss rider was very aggressive during the women's elite road race World Championships and came close to success in the tricky streets of Glasgow.

“I'm actually super tired but it was really amazing this atmosphere on the course. Alone in the front, the supporters really cheered on me and they were screaming, I could really enjoy every minute there," Chabbey told Cyclingnews after the finish. "I didn't really think about it [making it to the finish] because I just based my effort and I just tried to go as far as I can anyway. I was done anyway. I knew that if it was coming back I couldn't do much anymore."

Part of the early breakaway, the 30-year old was caught by the peloton still early on in the day but then launched herself off the front once again as the riders entered the explosive final circuit. Having performed strongly over hilly races in the past few years she was aware that it was a course suited to her abilities, and with Marlen Reusser a second card for the Swiss, Chabbey took a gamble in attacking from very early on. She ended up leading the race for 60 kilometers, all by herself, until she was caught by the remaining favourites with 15 kilometers to go.

“When they came back I was a bit done. I couldn't do anything more for Marlen but I think she did fourth so, I mean, as a Swiss team, I think we can be proud, you know, sort of," she continued. "I was already in the first breakaway of the day and it didn't really work together and nobody was really working and then I spent also quite a lot of energy there and then when it all came back together, I spoke with Marlen and she told me that she was feeling really good. So I was like I already spent a bit of energy so why not try again and do something for her?”

Her attack forced the favourites' group to find some sort of collaboration amidst the chaos, and it provided Reusser with an opportunity to save her legs which could be crucial in the finale, with such a long race. However her Team SD Worx teammates were more explosive on the day, Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering rode to first and second on the day whilst Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, who took advantage of a late attack, rode to third.

Reusser was fourth whilst Chabbey no longer had the legs to respond to the constant flurry of attacks. “When I went away, I was hoping that somebody was coming with me," she said of her attack, but luck was not on the 30-year old's side this Sunday. "But nobody was there and then I had a bit of a gap, so I just kept going at pace and I think it was just one lap too long. Actually, I prefer being with people. I mean, it's more fun but nobody came with me, so I had to deal with that.”