South Australian Rachel Neylan delivered a stunning performance in her debut appearance at the UCI Road World Championships in the Netherlands to claim the silver medal in the elite women's road race.
The 30-year-old physiotherapist, who began racing in 2007, crossed the line ten seconds behind Dutch rider and outright favourite Marianne Vos, 27, who recaptured the road crown she first won in 2006. Vos, who also won the road race at the recent Olympic Games in London, completed the 128.8 kilometre race in a time of 3:14:29 holding off Neylan on the run to the line with Italy's Elisa Longo Borghini 18 seconds back in third place.
For Vos, it was a case of relief after five sraight years of finishing second, while for Neylan it was one of disbelief at claiming her first world championship medal. "I can't describe it. It is unbelievable, I never ever dreamed today that I would be standing here with a silver medal around my neck," Neylan said, the first Australian woman to place in the world title's road race since Oenone Wood claimed bronze in Madrid, Spain in 2005.
Neylan talks to Cycling Australia's media manager Gennie Sheer.
Audio courtesy Cycling Australia.
