Dideriksen runs Wild!

DENMARK’S Amalie Dideriksen dashed favourite Kirsten Wild’s birthday celebrations to win the 134.5km women’s elite road race at the Pearl-Qatar last week. 

Finland’s Lotta Lepisto came third while Great Britain’s Lizzie Deignan, looking to defend her title, finished fourth.

Dideriksen, the junior world champion in 2013 and 2014, said, “I fought pretty hard. I had dreamt of a top-10 finish. But winning the rainbow jersey was unbelievable. My team-mates worked really hard for me. Full credits to them for bringing me back after the crash. They kept passing water bottles to me and ensured I was always with the lead pack.”

Dideriksen thus became only the sixth junior world champion to clinch the senior title, after France’s Catherien Marsal, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Lithuania’s Diana Ziliute, Briton Nicole Cooke and Dutchwoman Marianne Vos.

“It’s a surprise for everybody. I’m okay in sprint, but claiming the world title was something unbelievable. It’s a really huge achievement for a 20-year-old,” added Dideriksen.

Four overall victories and 10 stage wins at the Tour of Qatar in the past made Dutchwoman Wild favourite, but the sprint was just a little too long for her. 

The surprise third place for Lepisto was the first-ever senior podium place for Finland at the Worlds.