Whilst Kopecky was able to get back to the front and eventually take a bronze medal, Wiebes and Vollering were left to fight for the minor positions, taking 11th and 34th respectively. "When I caught Lorena, I thought it was better to stay with her and close the gap for her. But I wasn't able to do that," Vollering laments. "I did everything I could, but it's also difficult to ride against a group of eight riders on your own. So I'm a bit disappointed about that, because with Lorena in the front group the cards would be shuffled completely differently."
In the end, it was
Kristen Faulkner who secured the gold medal for the USA, with the Dutch securing some prize through
Marianne Vos in second with silver. "Ultimately, Marianne can be very proud of her silver medal, knowing that it is also a matter of gambling in such a final," says Vollering. "Faulkner chose a good moment and Marianne and Lotte looked at each other, after which she was gone. I just spoke to Marianne and I am sure that she did everything she could. She had also done a lot of work, by jumping along several times."
"The moment Lotte crosses over, she also knows that she is the favourite. And vice versa, so it is normal that they looked at each other. Marianne also knows very well what she has to do in such a final," concludes the defending Tour de France Femmes winner. "Faulkner is a very strong rider. She has already beaten us in this way in the Vuelta. If she is gone, then she is gone."
