Lippert narrowly missed out on a medal
World Cup race begins with tears and ends with favorites winning
September 28, 2024, 5:30 p.m
The women’s road race at the World Cycling Championships is of course dedicated to the fatally injured rider Muriel Furrer: tears flow during a minute’s silence at the start. The defending champion wins the race, Liane Lippert narrowly missed out on a medal.
Liane Lippert once again mobilized all her strength in cold and rainy Zurich, but in the end she only came in fourth place. The 26-year-old did not reward herself for a strong World Championship race and missed the hoped-for medal in the sprint of a leading group. “I would have loved to bring the medal with me. In the end, I was missing the grit, I had such a strong will. I’m back at the top of the world,” said Lippert.
Defending champion Lotte Kopecky secured the title after 154.1 kilometers. “First of all, I would like to express my condolences to Muriel’s family. You just don’t want to see the Swiss riders crying on the start line. The title is also for Muriel,” said the Belgian. Due to the death of young Swiss driver Muriel Furrer, there was no big winner’s ceremony and the flags flew at half-mast.
National coach satisfied
The American Chloe Dygert secured silver ahead of the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini. Lippert was only a few centimeters short of bronze. “Our plan worked completely. Liane was very strong. Unfortunately she was beaten on the home straight, which is a very, very unfortunate thing,” said national coach André Korff.
Antonia Niedermaier, who was considered the secret favorite, had slight problems in the penultimate lap, but fought her way back to the front – and lost touch again in the final lap. The 21-year-old from Bavaria ultimately crossed the finish line in 18th place, but secured the bronze medal in the U23 category. In the individual time trial, Niedermaier won the U23 title for the second time in a row, and she took silver in the team time trial.
Minute of silence at the start
The last time there was a German world champion was in 2005, when Regina Schleicher won in Madrid. Judith Arndt (2004), Ute Enzenauer (1981), Beate Habetz (1978) and GDR driver Elisabeth Eicholz (1965) also secured the rainbow jersey.
The race was dedicated to junior Muriel Furrer, who died the day before after her fall. Before the almost 200 drivers were sent onto the track, there was a minute’s silence in memory of the 18-year-old. The Swiss team took their place in the front row, the riders hugged each other, Linda Zanetti burst into tears. After the neutral start, the drivers led the field through the small town of Uster.
“It’s important to drive with respect”
In constant rain, the issue of safety was omnipresent. “It’s important to ride with respect and still not be too afraid and to be brave,” said German medal contender Antonia Niedermaier. “The most important thing for everyone is that we reach the finish safely and stay healthy. It is the biggest goal of all that nothing happens today.”
The drivers had to complete 154.1 kilometers. Returning to everyday life was difficult after the news of Furrer’s death. “It’s very depressing. Of course you have to say that a lot of things came together that led to the accident. You have to try to keep your thoughts positive,” said Franziska Koch and urged caution: “The decisions are made on the up and up not on the descent.”
